To improve both the quality and yield of milk in Haryana, the Centre has approved the ‘Gosamvardhan and Gosanrakshan’ projects under which Rs.77.9 crore has been set aside for conservation and integrated development of Hariana, Sahiwal and Gir breeds of indigenous cattle.
Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal has stated that the project would prove a boon in upgrading low yielding indigenous cattle into high yielding cows of native breeds through selective breeding.
Besides, it would provide an important economic boost to the farmers and prove to be a major source of livelihood for them.
Haryana Animal Husbandry Minister O.P. Dhankar said the State government has taken a lead in improving upon the indigenous cattle to mitigate the ill effects of global warming and climate change.
The State government would now implement the project in a phased manner over five years.
The project would envisage expansion and improvement in the quality of Artificial Insemination services and making them available to the farmers at their doorstep.
Organised breeding
It would also bring all breedable cows under organised breeding through artificial insemination or natural service using disease-free high genetic merit bulls.
The Minister said government decided to provide a subsidy to the tune of 50 per cent for establishment of mini dairy units, with up to five indigenous cows, to the farmers.
Incentive money
To encourage the farmers to rear good quality high milk yielding indigenous cattle like Hariana and Sahiwal, the government would also take to recording the performance of these breeds and provide incentive money ranging from Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 20,000 on the basis of milk yield to the owners of indigenous cows from the year 2015-16.
A total sum of Rs 1 crore has been set aside for this scheme.
