Rashtriya Kamdhenu Aayog

In News: The University Grants Commission has asked all vice-chancellors to encourage students to write the all-India exam on ‘cow science’ organised by the Rashtriya Kamdhenu Aayog.

Rashtriya Kamdhenu Aayog

• The Government of India has constituted the “Rashtriya Kamdhenu Aayog” to organize animal husbandry on modern and scientific lines and to take steps for preserving and improving breeds, and to stop the slaughter of cows and calves and other milch and draught cattle.
• As per 2012 livestock census, India has 300 million bovine population; out of this 191 million are cattle (cows) and 108.7 million buffaloes. The cattle and buffalo genetic resource is constituted by 43 breeds of cattle and 16 breeds of buffaloes. Among the bovine population, 216 million are females and 84 million are males. 5.2 million cattle are abandoned as per livestock census 2012.
• India is the global leader in milk production with peak milk production of 176.35 MMT during 2017-18. The cattle population in the country plays a crucial role in the rural economy in terms of milk production, manure and draft animal power.
• The Aayog is a high powered permanent apex advisory body with a mandate to help the Central Government to develop appropriate programmes for conservation, sustainable development and genetic upgradation of Indigenous breeds of cows. 
• The Aayog will review existing laws, policies as well as suggest measures for optimum economic utilization of cow wealth for enhanced production and productivity, leading to higher farm income and better quality of life for the dairy farmers. 
• It also aims at transmission and application of improved technology and management practices at the farmers’ doorstep through coordination with dairy cooperatives, farmer producer companies and dairy industry as well as research institutions. 
• Rashtriya Kamdhenu Aayog will function as an integral part of Rashtriya Gokul Mission.

Objective Rashtriya Gokul Mission

• The Rashtriya Kamdhenu Aayog has been constituted for the conservation, protection and development of cows and their progeny; for proper implementation of laws with respect to prohibition of slaughter and / or cruelty to cows and for giving direction to the cattle development programmes.
• The Rashtriya Kamdhenu Aayog will be a high powered permanent body to formulate policy and to provide direction to the implementation of schemes related to cattle so as to give more emphasis on livelihood generation of small and marginal farmers.
• The Rashtriya Kamdhenu Aayog will provide enabling environment, develop a policy framework and shape guidelines aimed at achieving following:
  • Sustainable development and genetic upgradation of genetic resources of cows in India.
  • Conservation and development of Indigenous Breeds of cows and improved management of cows of the country.
  • Enhanced production and productivity throughout the country, leading to higher farm income and better quality of life for the dairy farmers.
  • Protection and promotion of the interest of dairy cooperatives, Livestock Development Agencies, farmer producer companies and dairy industries in the country.
  • Effective implementation of laws for welfare of the cows and its progeny in the country and proper working of Gaushals, Gosadans and Pinjra Poles and other organizations/institutes for protection and development of cows and their progeny.