Lok Sabha Question No. 5945 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-04-03
Subject: Promotion of Indigenous Breeds of Cow
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: KANWAR SINGH TANWAR

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL HUSBANDRY, DAIRYING AND FISHERIES LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5945 TO BE ANSWERED ON 3 RD  APRIL 2018

## PROMOTION OF INDIGENOUS BREEDS OF COWS

## 5945. SHRI KANWAR SINGH TANWAR :

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ षि और ककसान कल्याण मंत्री be pleased to state:

- (a) the various steps being taken by the Government to promote indigenous breeds of cows across the country;
- (b) whether the Government has undertaken a study regarding benefits of A2 milk and if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) whether  the  Government  has  any  medium  term  plan  to  increase  focus  and  awareness  about indigenous breeds and A2 milk if they are found to be beneficial, if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE (SHRIMATI KRISHNA RAJ)

- (a) In order to complement and supplement the efforts made by the States to promote indigenous breeds of cows across the country following steps are being undertaken by Government of India:
- (i):  Rashtriya  Gokul  Mission  has  been  initiated  for  development  and  conservation  of  indigenous  in order to promote indigenous breeds across the country.
- ii) Two National Kamdhenu Breeding Centres are being established with the aim of development and conservation of indigenous breeds in a scientific and holistic manner.
- (iii): National Dairy Plan-I  is being implemented in 18 major dairy States with aim of enhancing milk  production  and  productivity  with  a  focus  on  development  and  conservation  of  12  indigenous breeds.
- (iv) Livestock  Health  and  Disease  control  Progamme  is  being  implemented  with  the  aim  of prevention, control, containment and surveillance of animal diseases.
- (v) National Livestock Mission has a submission for enhancing availability of feed and fodder in the country and prevention of economic loss through livestock insurance.
- (vi) Government  has  also  established  three  subordinate  organizations  namely  (a)  Central  Cattle Breeding  Farms  (CCBFs)  (b)  Central  Herd  registration  Scheme  and  (c)  Central  Frozen  Semen Production  &  Training  Institute . These  institutes  are  playing  crucial  role  in  supply  of  high  genetic merit bulls and semen doses of indigenous breeds.
- (vii) The  Indian  Council  of  Agricultural  Research  through  its  research  institutes  is  undertaking genetic improvement and conservation of indigenous breeds
- (b) & (c): As informed by Indian Council of Agricultural Research 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 1 diabetes and coronary heart disease in animal model (mice). Government of India has already initiated following schemes for increasing focus and awareness about importance  of  indigenous  breeds  of  bovines  and  milk  produced  by  indigenous  breeds:  a)  Rashtriya Gokul Mission; b) establishment of two National Kamdhenu Breeding Centre and c) National Dairy Plan-I.