Lok Sabha Question No. 2268 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-14
Subject: Indigenous Cows
Ministry: FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
Asked by: Prataprao Govindrao  Patil Chikhalikar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING LOK SABHA

MINISTRY OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2268 TO BE ANSWERED ON 14 TH  MARCH 2023

## INDIGENOUS COWS

## 2268. SHRI PRATAPRAO PATIL CHIKHLIKAR:

Will the Minister of FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING मत्स्यपालन , पशुपालनऔरडेयरीमंत्री be pleased to state:

(a) the details of family tree of indigenous cows and the steps taken by the Government to train farmers about the importance of these cows;

(b)  the  details  of  schemes  being  implemented  and  funds  allocated  to  promote  animal husbandry as a source of supplementary income from rearing of these cows;

(c) the details of eligibility criteria for getting the benefit of this grant;

(d) the details of steps taken by the Government to train the farmers to make manure from different methods for different types of soil and crops by using dung and urine of these cows; and

(e) the details of funds allocated by the Government to establish unit for producing such kind of manure and the details of eligibility criteria for getting the benefit of this grant?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER FOR FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING (SHRI PARSHOTTAM RUPALA)

(a) As per Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) scientific name of indigenous cow  is  'Bos indicus'.  It  belongs  to  'Bos'  genus  along  with  the  livestock  like  exotic (humpless) cows (Bos taurus),  Yak  (Bos grunniens),  Mithun  (Bos  frontalis)  etc.  It  comes under the family 'Bovidae' of 'Mammalia' class, 'Chordata phylum and 'Animalia' kingdom. Funds under Rashtriya Gokul Mission are released for organising fertility camps, milk yield competition, calf rallies, farmers training programme, seminars and workshop, conclaves etc to  create  awareness  among  the  farmers  about  importance  of  indigenous  cattle  and  buffalo breeds.

(b) & (c) The  Department  of  Animal  Husbandry  and  Dairying  is  implementing Rashtriya Gokul Mission for development and conservation of indigenous cattle and buffalo breeds,  genetic  upgradation  of  bovine  population  and  enhancement  of  milk  production  and productivity of bovines thereby making dairying more remunerative to farmers since 2014. For  implementation  of  Rashtriya Gokul Mission  an  amount  of  Rs  2661.76  crore  is  made available  to  the  States/  Union  Territories  during  the  last  5  years.  Proposals  received  from Implementing Agencies as per guidelines of the scheme are considered under the project for release of central assistance.

(d) & (e) Department  of  Animal  Husbandry  and  Dairying  is  implementing Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund (AHIDF) of Rs 15000 crore and under the AHIDF beneficiaries may avail assistance under the category of Animal Waste to Wealth including agri waste for setting up of biogas plants/ manure units. The eligible beneficiaries under the  Scheme are Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), MSMEs,  Section 8 Companies,  Private  Companies  and  individual  entrepreneur  with  minimum  10%  margin money contribution by entities. Unique features of the scheme are Interest Subvention of 3% payable upto 8 years with no ceiling on Loan amount.

Department  of  Animal  Husbandry  and  Dairying  is  promoting  efficient  utilization  of  cow dung with the production of biogas as an energy source and organic fertilizerthrough National Dairy Development Board. To take forward the manure management initiative in a focussed manner and for scaling up across the country, National Dairy Development Board is allowed toestablish  a  fully  owned  subsidiary  named  NDDB  MRIDA  Ltd.  The  company  promotes biogas along with efficient utilisation of slurry across the country.

Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying is organising farmers awareness programmes for promoting dairying across the country including generation of waste to wealth.

As per Indian Council of Agricultural Research regular training programs are organized on Gau Adharit  Natural  Farming  for  benefitting  the  farmers.  Various  products  like Jivamrit, Bijamrit, Dashparni Ark, Agneyastra & Nemastra were prepared using cow dung and urine in  the  farmers field  for  use  on  agricultural  land.  Moreover, trainings  to  the  farmers/  young youths  on  the  value  addition  of  cow  dung  to  produce  the  vermi-compost  is  regularly imparted.

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