Government launches programme to develop indigenous cattle varieties

Farm Min says good rains expected in coming days as well

To develop indigenous varieties of cattle, the government today announced the setting up of national mission with an initial funding of Rs 500 crore.

The Mission to be called the 'Gokul Mission' will also strive to safeguard non-mulching cattle (those which have stopped giving milk) from being used for meat, a promise which Prime Minister Narendra Modi repeatedly made during his election campaign earlier this year.

"Rs 1,800 crore has been allocated in the 12th five-year plan 2012-13 to 2016-17) for cattle and diary development, of which Rs 600 is for development of cattle. The new programme is being launched from that fund itself," agriculture minister Radha Mohan Singh told reporters.

He said that under the programme any individual, NGO, cooperatives, social organisations and also through public-private partnership etc will get financial assistance from the Centre for running their cattle stables, but the primary condition in that is it should promote breeding of indigenous varieties.

India has around 37 indigenous varieties of cattle. Of the total cattle population in the country of almost 199 million almost 83 per cent is indigenous, while the rest is cross-breed with foreign varieties.

"40 per cent of cattle in such sheds should be those which have stopped giving milk and are usually sold for meat, to ensure that those are also safeguarded," Singh said.

He said the Centre has called a meeting of all state secretaries and officials of animal husbandry department next month to discuss the scheme and also explain its guidelines," Singh said.

"State governments have a crucial role to play in whole concept as the programme will be implemented through them," Singh said.

Monsoon revival signals hope

Deficit in monsoon rains has come down and good rainfall is expected in the coming days that will help complete sowing operations, Radha Mohan Singh said at the same briefing. He also said that no state government has declared drought yet. However, the Centre is prepared to help those states which seek any help for drought-hit areas. As per the Met Department, the overall rainfall deficit has come down to 25 per cent till July 23. On rising prices of tomato that have touched Rs 80 per kg in the national capital, the minister said, "The supply is sufficient. Production in 2013-14 was two per cent higher than the previous year."