Question : Rashtriya Kamdhenu Aayog

(a) the details of aims and objectives of Rashtriya Kamdhenu Aayog;
(b) the details of the achievements made since the establishment of the said Aayog till date;
(c) the details of works done in the country for the conservation and promotion of indigenous cow breeds under Rashtriya Gokul Mission during the last three years, State-wise and district-wise including Maharashtra;
(d) the number of Gokul Grams approved for the States of Maharashtra, Bihar and Jammu and Kashmir under the said Mission particularly in Amravati Parliamentary Constituency;
(e) whether the Government proposes to increase the number of Gokul Grams under the said Mission and if so, the details thereof; and
(f) the details of additional steps taken by the Government for the conservation of indigenous

ANSWER
THE MINISTER FOR FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
(SHRI PARSHOTTAM RUPALA)

(a) Rashtriya Kamdhenu Aayog (RKA) is a permanent apex advisory body set up vide Resolution No.3-260/2019-AHT dated 21.2.2019. The main objective of RKA is to advise State and Central Governments on matters relating to conservation, protection and development of cow, particularly indigenous breeds and their progeny in consonance with directive principles of State Policy enshrined in the Constitution. Aayog also has the mandate to frame guidelines aimed at sustainable development, protection and promotion of interest in dairy sector among dairy cooperatives, LDAs and farmer producer companies.

(b) Since inception, the Chairman and Members of the Aayog had several meetings with the stakeholders to deliberate on issues relating to conservation, protection and development of cows. Aayog was associated in organizing one day National Conclave on Cow based Entrepreneurship with Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDII), Ahmedabad and held indigenous interaction and dialogue with the Universities and other educational institutions in India and overseas regarding Cow based research programmes.

(c) The details of work done in the country for the conservation and promotion of indigenous cow breeds under Rashtriya Gokul Mission during the last three years, State-wise including Maharashtra is at Annexure I.
(d) & (e) Three Gokul Grams have been approved for Maharashtra (Palghar, Pohara and Tathwade) and one in Bihar at Buxar. No Gokul Gram has been approved for Jammu and Kashmir. One Gokul Gram has been sanctioned in Pohara under the Amravati Parliamentary Constituency. Funds have been released for establishment of 16 Gokul Grams in the country. There is no proposal of the Government to increase the Gokul Grams under the Mission as per the revised and realigned guidelines of Rashtriya Gokul Mission 2021-26.
(f) In order to compliment and supplement the efforts made by the States and UTs to protect and develop cattle population in the country and also conserve its indigenous breeds, Government of India has been implementing Rashtriya Gokul Mission. Major steps undertaken under Rashtriya Gokul Mission for development and conservation of indigenous breeds are as under:
(i) Extension of AI Coverage: Nationwide AI programme; Establishment of MAITRI centres; Strengthening of existing AI centres & Semen Stations and Training of Existing AI Technicians
(iii) Production of HGM Bulls: Pedigree Selection, Progeny Testing and Genomic Selection
(iii) Accelerated Breed Improvement Programme by use of Sex sorted semen and Implementation of IVF technology for getting assured pregnancy
(iv) Establishment of Breed Multiplication Farms of indigenous breeds