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AP records 62% surge in indigenous bovine breeds
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Thursday, 19 March, 2026, 15 : 00 PM [IST]
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Our Bureau, New Delhi
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Andhra Pradesh has emerged as a frontrunner in the conservation of native cattle, recording a massive 62.11% increase in the population of indigenous (pure) bovine breeds. This significant growth, measured between the 2013 and 2022 Breed Survey Reports, was highlighted by the Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying, Rajiv Ranjan Singh (alias Lalan Singh), in a written reply to the Lok Sabha recently.
The nationwide increase for the same period stood at 29.99%, making Andhra Pradesh’s performance more than double the national average. The Minister attributed this success to the sustained efforts under the Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM) and other joint initiatives by the Centre and the State.
Since its inception in 2014, the Rashtriya Gokul Mission has seen substantial financial backing in the state. The funding peaked in 2021-22 with a release of ?5,652.38 lakh, all of which was utilized. For the 2024-25 fiscal year, Rs 3,184.16 lakh was released and fully utilized to promote bovine productivity and conserve local breeds. For the current financial year (2025-26), Rs1,500 lakh has been released to date.
While the mission originally included the establishment of 'Gokul Grams'—integrated cattle development centers—this specific component was discontinued during the mission’s realignment for the 2021-2026 period. To date, 16 Gokul Grams have been established across the country to serve as centers for the development of indigenous breeds and the sale of high-quality genetic material.
The surge in the indigenous cattle population in Andhra Pradesh underscores the success of focusing on high-yielding native breeds, which are better adapted to local climatic conditions and are more resilient to diseases. The government remains committed to using advanced technologies like sex-sorted semen and IVF to further enhance the genetic merit of the state's dairy herd.
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