Lok Sabha Question No. 4133 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-20
Subject: Decline in Population of Indigenous Breeds of Cattle
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: K. GOPAL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL HUSBANDRY, DAIRYING AND FISHERIES

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 4133 TO BE ANSWERED ON 20 TH  MARCH,.2018

## DECLINE IN POPULATION OF INDIGENOUS BREEDS OF CATTLE

## 4133. DR. K. GOPAL:

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

- (a)  whether it is true that there has been a rapid decline in the population of indigenous breeds of cattle across the country and if so, the reasons therefor;
- (b) whether it is also true that the Government held discussions with the State Governments in this regard;
- (c) if so, the details and the outcome thereof; and
- (d) the steps taken by the Government to protect the indigenous breeds of cattle in the country?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

## (SHRIMATI KRISHNA RAJ)

- (a) As per breed survey report 2013 the country has 37.92 million animals of recognized indigenous cattle breeds as against 23.78 million animals of indigenous cattle breeds during 2007 (as per breed wise livestock census 2007). However, non descript cattle population has declined from 142.235 million to 113.252 million between livestock census 2007 and 2012.
- (b)  to  (d)  In  order  to  complement  and  supplement  the  efforts  made  by  the  States,  the  Department  of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries has formulated the following schemes  in consultation with all stake holders including State Governments to address the issues related to development and conservation of recognised  & non descript breeds:
- i) Rashtriya  Gokul  Mission  has  been  initiated  with  aim  of  development  and  conservation  of indigenous breeds and enhancement of milk production and productivity of bovine population.
- ii) National Dairy Plan-I implemented with the aim of enhancing production of productivity of milch  animals  and  to  provide  rural  milk  producers  greater  access  to  the  organized  milk processing  centre.  The  scheme  also  has  focus  on  development  and  conservation  of  12 indigenous breeds of cattle and buffaloes.
- iii) Livestock Health and Disease Control implemented for tackling the issues of livestock health assistance is released under the scheme to the States & UTs.
- iv) National Livestock Mission having Sub Mission on Feed & Fodder Development for increasing fodder availability in the country and  under the Sub Mission Livestock Development insurance coverage is being made available to bovines along with other livestock species.
- v) 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 playing crucial role in supply of high genetic merit bulls and semen doses of indigenous breeds.
- vi) Indian Council for Agricultural Research is also undertaking development and conservation of indigenous breeds through its institutes.

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