Rashtriya Gokul Mission 2.0: Modi's Dream Of Doubling Farm Income, Bigger Slice Of Foreign Market

Sources said that Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman could announce the new and redefined programme in her next Union Budget.

The measures are aimed at improving the safety standards and quality of the milk produced in the country.

The government is also looking to improve the infrastructure required for it, and at the same time, ensure competitiveness, which will improve the livelihoods of the estimated eight crore dairy farmers in the country.

As part of the RGM 2.0, the Centre is also trying to eradicate the Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), a contagious viral disease that affects livestock such as cows and buffaloes in the country, and something that hinders exports.

Speaking to The Secretariat, Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying S.P.S. Baghel stated that the RGM needs to be given a new thrust to achieve the required tasks of increasing farm income and evolving India into a key exporter in the sector. "The issue is that we want to align all state governments with this cause. Currently, many state governments are not working in tandem with the government's aim at making India one of the biggest exporters of dairy products," the Minister said. 

“Opening up new export opportunities is only possible if we successfully eradicate FMD and other cattle-related diseases from the country,” said Baghel, underlining the importance of health certifications in global trade.

Sources stated that the National Animal Disease Control Programme (NADCP) would be widely used to ensure that milch animals in the country are disease-free so that export prospects to premium markets in Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Europe are opened to Indian dairy products.

At present, India’s exports of milk and other dairy products are minuscule.

New Zealand, Germany, the US, and the Netherlands are among the world’s top milk-exporting countries.

What Is RGM 2.0

In light of the Narendra Modi government’s thrust on doubling agriculture and the income of dairy farmers, these steps will be crucial to improving efficiency and quality. The move is also expected to enhance self-reliance, a swadeshi push to the rural economy.

The mission aims at improving cattle breeds and boosting milk production to meet the growing demand for dairy products, and making the sector more remunerative for the farmers in the country.

Since December 2014, the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying has been implementing RGM for the development and conservation of indigenous bovine breeds. It was aimed at developing and conserving indigenous bovine breeds in a scientific and holistic way.

Now, the scope of the project has been improved even further.

Thrust Areas

As part of phase 2 of the programme, the plan is to enhance artificial insemination and sex sorted semen coverage through strengthening the breeding network and delivery of artificial insemination services at farmers' doorsteps.

The RGM will have a thrust to promote indigenous cattle and buffalo rearing and conservation in a scientific and holistic manner. "AI sex sorted semen for cattle will be implemented nationally. This will help the farmers immensely as they would be able to ensure 90 per cent birthing of female calves. This is expected to give a massive push to India's milk production capacity," Baghel pointed out. 

This will ensure that the unwanted male calves aren't born and do not become a burden on small and marginal farmers. In the era of mechanisation, the oxen have become irrelevant in the farming process, the minister said.

Officials in the ministry stated that the Centre wants all state governments to come on board for phase 2 of RGM as it will ensure that India achieves better targets in milk production. 

Crucial Statistics

According to government statistics, India has been the number one milk producer since 1998. It now produces 25 percent of the world’s milk. While global milk production grows by 2 per cent each year, India’s milk availability per person has increased by 48 per cent in the last ten years. In 2023-24, the average Indian gets over 471 grams of milk daily, much higher than the world average of 322 grams.

In 2023-24, Uttar Pradesh was the top milk-producing state. It contributed 16.21 percent of India’s total milk output.

Interestingly, sources said that the government feels that by strengthening the nation’s dairy industry, it will also be able to strengthen women’s economic well-being. The sector has a substantial involvement of women, with 35 per cent of women participating in dairy cooperatives. There are 48,000 women's dairy cooperative societies operational at the village level nationwide, fostering inclusive growth and empowering women in rural areas. Under the reinvigorated programme, women's participation is likely to increase further, sources said.

The nation’s transformation from a milk-deficient one to the world’s leading milk producer is a testament to determination, strategic vision, and unified efforts. Nevertheless, this progress marks only the beginning. The future calls for continued innovation, increased integration of technology, and support for dairy farmers for a healthier and self-sufficient India.