Topics Covered: Technology missions; economics of animal-rearing.
Rashtriya Kamdhenu Aayog (RKA):
Context:
Rashtriya Kamdhenu Aayog (RKA) had recently cancelled its “indigenous cow science” examination after widespread criticism about its promotion of fake claims and pseudoscience.
- Now, the Animal Husbandry Department has said that RKA had “no mandate” to conduct such an examination.
What’s the issue?
The RKA had announced a national “Kamdhenu Gau Vigyan Prachar Prasar Exam” to be held on February 25.
- Reference materials for the exam made a number of unscientific claims, including that the dung of indigenous cows protected against radioactivity, their milk had traces of gold, and that cow slaughter caused earthquakes.
- The RKA had the backing of the University Grants Commission (UGC), which publicised the examination, causing widespread outrage.
About the Rashtriya Kamdhenu Aayog:
Constituted in 2019, the Aayog is a high powered permanent apex advisory body with the mandate to help the Central Government to develop appropriate programmes for conservation, sustainable development and genetic upgradation of indigenous breeds of cows.
It comes under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying.
- Rashtriya Kamdhenu Aayog will function as an integral part of Rashtriya Gokul Mission.
Functions:
- 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.
- Advise and guide the Central Government and State Governments on policy matters concerning conservation, protection, development and welfare of cows and their progeny.
- Promote schemes to encourage the use of organic manure and recommend suitable measures including incentive schemes for use of dung or urine of cow in organic manure by farmers to minimize the use of chemical fertilizers.
- Make provisions for solutions to the problems related to abandoned cows in the country by providing technical inputs to Gaushalas, Gosadans and pinjarapoles.
- Develop pastures or grazing lands and to associate with institutions or other bodies whether private or public, for the purpose of developing pastures and Gauchars.
InstaLinks:
Prelims Link:
- What are Gokul Grams?
- Can they be established in Metropolitan cities?
- Milch and unproductive animals ratio to be maintained by Gokul Grams.
- About the National Programme for Bovine Breeding and Dairy Development (NPBBD).
- When was the Rashtriya Gokul Mission launched?
Mains Link:
Write a note on Rashtriya Gokul Mission.
Sources: the Hindu.
