Rashtriya Gokul Mission is a scheme launched by Department
of Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Government of India since December 2014
with an aim to develop and conserve indigenous breed by means of selective
breeding in the breeding tract and genetic upgradation of non-descript bovine
population.
Sikkim Livestock Development Board is an autonomous body
under the A.H & V.S Department, Government of Sikkim which is responsible
for implementation of the scheme Rashtriya Gokul Mission in the state of
Sikkim. The various projects implemented under this scheme in the state of
Sikkim are as follows:
1.Conservation of Siri cattle.
2.Establishment of MAITRI workers in the state.
3. Refreshers’ training of existing MAITRI workers.
4. National Artificial Insemination Programme.
Sex Sorted Semen.
5. Procurement of one artificial cow, Henryetta.
6.Establishment of one regional training centre.
7. Fertility and awareness camps.
8. Yak feed provision
Conservation of Siri:
Siri is a breed of cattle indigenous of Sikkim which falls
under vulnerable status under breed watchlist 2022 as reported by Indian
Council of Agricultural Research, National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources
and needs to be conserved. In this context, Sikkim has recognized four areas as
Intensive Siri Cattle Breeding Areas viz: Kabi (Mangan district), Regu (Pakyong
district), Pokhri (Gyalshing district) and ralong (Namchi district). In all
these ISCBA areas artificial insemination is done only with frozen semen straw
of Siri cattle and Siri bulls are only supplied for natural breeding as well.
Establishment of MAITRI workers:
Sikkim Livestock Development Board has established youths
for working as MAITRI (Multi- Purpose Artificial Insemination worker in Rural
India) workers in all six districts of the state wherein they are trained to
provide artificial insemination services to farmers at their door step. The
programme has helped many unemployed youths of the state to become
self-sufficient in earning income for themselves by establishing themselves as
artificial insemination workers in the state as well as helped farmers access
easily to the services of artificial insemination at every corner of the state.
Refreshers’ training of existing MAITRI workers:
The board has also been regularly arranging trainings for
existing MAITRI workers so as to keep them updated with new technologies
associated with artificial insemination and diseases related to it and how it
could be avoided.
National Artificial Insemination Programme:
National Artificial Insemination Programme is a project
under which Sikkim Livestock Development Board carries out artificial
insemination in cattle and buffaloes with an aim to improve genetic merit of
the existing population of cattle and buffalo and thereby enhancing its milk
production and improving health status. Currently SLDB has provision of two
types of frozen semen straw for carrying out artificial insemination i.e a.
conventional frozen semen straw and b. sex sorted frozen semen straw. The board
has consecutively for two years, during the financial year 2021-2022 and
2022-2023, surpassed the target given for artificial insemination.
Sex sorted semen:
Under implementation of sex sorted semen straw in the state
of Sikkim, SLDB has successfully implemented the use of sex sorted semen in the
field since the end of 2020 which assures 90% birth of female calves while 10%
male calves maybe born.
Procurement of one artificial cow, Henryetta:
Sikkim Livestock Development Board being one of the accredited training centre for Artificial Insemination Training Institute on the recommendation of Central Monitoring Unit as per certificate no: CMU/AITI/25 dated 23.01.2020 has procured one artificial cow, Henryetta under Rashtriya Gokul Mission which has immensely helped the MAITRI workers to train themselves humanely for unlimited number of times before actually trying their hands on live animals. The artificial cow procured is the best available, purchased from Germany (Minitube company) with realistic feel of all the physiological changes that happens in the reproductive tract of a cow during conception.
Establishment of one training centre:
Under Rashtriya Gokul Mission, Sikkim Livestock Development Board has constructed and established one regional training centre at Sokeythang for various training of MAITRI workers.
Fertility and Awareness camps:
The board also organises fertility and awareness camps among the farmers to make them aware about the various schemes of the board and advantages they can have access to as farmers and also for addressing various fertility issues in the field and ensuring optimum conception.
Yak feed provision:
Sikkim Livestock development Board has made provision of fund for procurement of yak feed for feeding yaks during the ensuing winter months.
These are the various projects covered under Rashtriya Gokul
Mission which has helped the state of Sikkim to conserve the native breed Siri
of the state and also improve genetic merit of the breed thereby increasing the
milk production and helping farmer’s
improve their source of income.
(A PIB Feature)
