(a) whether the native Indian breed of cow ‘Conkrage’ yields a special variety of A2A2 milk which helps in the treatment of several chronic diseases particularly cardiac diseases;
(b) if so, the allocation made by the Government for the marketing of A2A2 variety of milk; and
(c) whether the Government proposes to market the A2A2 variety of milk separately to enable the farmers to rear maximum species of native Indian breeds of cow and if so, the details thereof, State-wise?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
(SHRIMATI KRISHNA RAJ)
(a) As informed by Indian Council of Agricultural Research the indigenous breeds of cows including Kankrej are known to yield A2A2 milk. Under the National Fund Project on Delineating Beta Casein Variants in Indian cows and potential health implications of A1A2 milk, the ICAR National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources, Karnal is undertaking a study on effect of A1A1, A1A2 and A2A2 milk feeding on type 1diabetes and coronary heart disease in animal model (mice).
(b) & (c Funds are made available under Rashtriya Gokul Mission for development and conservation of indigenous breeds including promotion of marketing of milk produced by indigenous breeds of cattle. Projects received from the State of Karnataka and Odisha for promotion of marketing of milk produced from indigenous breeds have been approved with an allocation of Rs 200 lakh per State.