Lok Sabha Question No. 247 (STARRED), answered on 2018-03-13
Subject: Unique Identity Numbers for Cows
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: HEENA VIJAYKUMAR GAVIT, P.R. SUNDARAM

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

STARRED QUESTION No 247*

TO BE ANSWERED ON 13 TH  MARCH, 2018

## UNIQUE IDENTITY NUMBERS FOR COWS

## *247. Dr. HEENA VIJAYKUMAR GAVIT:

SHRI P.R. SUNDARAM:

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

- (a) whether the Government has a proposal to assign Unique Identity (UID) numbers to four crore milk producing cows;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the aims and objectives behind the move;
- (c) whether the Government has acquired the unique identity technology for this purpose and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) the details of the cost of each UID card along with the amount allocated for this purpose; and
- (e) the steps taken by the Government to improve milk production in the country?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE& FARMERS WELWARE (SHRI RADHA MOHAN SINGH)

- (a) to (e):  A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION No. 247 UNIQUE IDENTITY NUMBERS FOR COWS TO BE ANSWERED ON 13 th  MARCH 2018.

Part (a) & (b): Yes, Madam. Government of India is undertaking identification of in-milk cattle and buffaloes, using 12 digit unique identification number for the purpose of scientific breeding of animals, control of spread of diseases, increasing trade of milk & milk products. This is being implemented  under  the  'Pashu  Sanjivni' component  of  the  scheme  National  Mission  on Bovine Productivity.

Part (c) & (d): Yes, Madam. Information Network for Animal Productivity & Health (INAPH) has already been developed by National Dairy Development Board and is being used as National Data Base for uploading data of animals identified using poly urethane tags with 12 digit unique identification number and it is as per the International Committee on Animal Recording.  The cost  of  each  polyurethane  tag  ranges  from  Rs  8  to  12  based  on  discovery  of  tender  price. Allocation of Rs 148 crore has been made under the component Pashu Sanjivni for identification and issuing Nakul Swastya Patra (Health Cards) to 90 million animals in milk. Component of the scheme is being implemented on 60: 40 Central: State share basis. Amount of Rs 75 crore as Central share has already been released to the States for implementation of the component.

Part (e) In order to complement and supplement the efforts made by the States to enhance milk production in the country, Government of India has been implementing following programmes/schemes:

- i) Rashtriya Gokul  Mission with an aim of development  and conservation of indigenous breeds and enhancement of milk production and productivity of bovine population.
2. ii) National  Dairy  Plan-I  with  the  aim  of  enhancing  production  and  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.
3. iii) Livestock  Health  and  Disease  Control  for  tackling  the  issues  of  livestock  health. Assistance is released under the scheme to the States & UTs.
4. iv) National Livestock Mission having sub mission on Feed & Fodder Development for increasing  fodder  availability  in  the  country  and  Livestock  Development  with  the component for providing insurance coverage 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.
6. vi) The  Indian  Council  of  Agricultural  Research  through  its  research  institutes  is undertaking genetic improvement and conservation of indigenous breeds

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