To complement and supplement efforts made by the States and Union territories to improve milk production, the livelihoods of dairy farmers and ensuring self-sufficiency in the dairy sector, Government of India is implementing Rashtriya Gokul Mission and other schemes across the country including Odisha.
The implementation of the Rashtriya Gokul Mission and other initiatives by the Government of India has resulted in a significant 63.5% increase in milk production in the country over the past decade, rising from 146.31 million tonnes in 2014-15 to 239.3 million tonnes in 2023-24. Similarly, the milk production in Odisha has increased by 39% from 18.98 lakh tonnes in 2014-15 to 26.30 lakh tonnes in 2023-24.
- Rashtriya Gokul Misson: This scheme aims at the development and conservation of indigenous breeds, genetic upgradation of bovine population, enhancement of milk production and productivity of bovines thereby making dairying more remunerative to farmers. The following steps have been undertaken under the scheme:
i. Nationwide Artificial Insemination Programme: The programme aims to enhance AI coverage and deliver quality Artificial Insemination (AI) services free of cost at farmers doorsteps using semen from high-genetic-merit bulls. In Odisha, till date 46.53 lakh animals have been covered, 61.10 lakh Artificial insemination performed, and 29.48 lakh farmers have benefitted under this programme.
Accelerated Breed Improvement Programme using Sex-Sorted Semen: This program aims to produce female calves with up to 90% accuracy, thereby enhancing breed improvement and increasing farmers’ income. Incentive upto 50% of the cost of sex sorted semen is available to farmers including small and marginal farmers engaged in dairying. Recently indigenously developed sex sorted semen production technology has been launched and with this technology cost of sex sorted semen will be reduced from Rs 800 to Rs 250/ dose. In Odisha, under this project so far 1,24,690 doses have been procured, and 38,398 farmers have been benefitted as per Bharat Pashudhan.
Multi-purpose Artificial Insemination Technicians in Rural India (MAITRI): MAITRIs are trained and equipped to deliver quality artificial insemination services at farmers’ doorsteps and so far, 1500 MAITRIs trained and equipped in Odisha State.
ii. Accelerated Breed Improvement Programme using IVF Technology: For the first time in India, bovine IVF technology has been promoted for the development and conservation of indigenous breeds. An incentive of ?5,000 per assured pregnancy out of the total cost of ? 21,000 per assured pregnancy is provided to farmers under this program to encourage the development of indigenous breeds.
Launch of Indigenous Culture Media: An indigenous media for in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) has been launched to further promote IVF technology in the country. This indigenous culture media is available at cheaper rates than the expensive imported media, making IVF technology available at reasonable rates.
iii. Strengthening of semen stations: In order to attain quantitative and qualitative improvement in semen production funds have been released to Odisha state for strengthening and modernisation of one semen station located at Cuttack.
iv. Awareness Programme and farmer training programme: Funds have been released to Odisha for organisation of fertility camps, milk yield competition, calf rallies and farmers training programme. So far, State has organised 1500 camps and trained 75,000 farmers for improving animal management, milk quality and productivity.
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