• Initiated in December 2014.
• Announced under the National Programme for Bovine Breeding and Dairy Development during the 12th Five Year Plan. 
• Continued under Rashtriya Pashudhan Vikas Yojana (2021-2026) with a budget of Rs. 2400 crore.

• Enhance productivity of bovines and increase sustainable milk production using advanced technologies.            
• Propagate the use of high genetic merit bulls for breeding.
• Expand artificial insemination coverage by strengthening the breeding network and delivering services at farmers’ doorsteps.
• Promote scientific and holistic conservation of indigenous cattle and buffalo rearing.

• Increased productivity, benefiting all cattle and buffaloes in India, with a focus on small and marginal farmers.
• Empowers women, who perform over 70% of livestock farming tasks.

1. Availability of High Genetic Merit Germplasm
2. Extension of Artificial Insemination Network
3. Development and Conservation of Indigenous Breeds
4. Skill Development
5. Farmers’ Awareness
6. Research, Development, and Innovation in Bovine Breeding

• Gopal Ratna Awards: For farmers maintaining the best herd of Indigenous Breed and practicing best management practices.          
• Kamdhenu Awards: For best-managed Indigenous herd by Institutions/Trusts/ NGOs/ Gaushalas or best-managed Breeders’ societies.
• Gokul Grams: Integrated cattle development centers focusing on promoting indigenous cattle rearing and conservation in a scientific manner.
• National Kamdhenu Breeding Centre (NKBC): Centre of Excellence for the holistic and scientific development and conservation of Indigenous Breeds.
• E-Pashu Haat: Web portal providing information on pet cattle and facilitating trading of bovine animals.
• Nakul Prajnan Bazaar: E-market portal connecting breeders and farmers for quality, disease-free bovine germplasm.
• Pashu Sanjivni: Animal wellness program providing animal health cards and unique identification, uploading data on the National Database.
• Advanced Reproductive Technology (ART): Includes Assisted Reproductive Technique- IVF/Multiple Ovulation Embryo Transfer (MOET) and sex-sorted semen technique.
• National Bovine Genomic Center for Indigenous Breeds (NBGC-IB): To be established for selecting breeding bulls of high genetic merit at a young age using highly precise gene-based technology.

PYQ:

[2012] Consider the following crops of India:

1. Cowpea
2. Green gram
3. Pigeon pea

Which of the above is/are used as pulse, fodder and green manure?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

[2015] Livestock rearing has a big potential for providing non-farm employment and income in rural areas. Discuss suggesting suitable measures to promote this sector in India.