e-GOPALA Portal/App

• The PM inaugurated the e-GOPALA App in September 2020 for direct use by the farmers.
• This application is available in 12 languages viz. Hindi, Gujarati, Marathi, Odia, Kannada, Malayalam, Punjabi, Telugu, Bengali, Tamil, Assamese and English.

e-GOPALA app/portal

• It is an android and web-based application.
• The platform will help farmers to manage their livestock including buying and selling of disease-free germplasm like semen, embryos, etc.
• Web version of e-GOPALA has been developed by the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB).
• NDDB also launched IMAP web portal that provides real-time information to the dairy farmers in order to provide better productivity of dairy animals.

Functions of the App/Portal

• It helps farmers to formulate balanced ration for dairy animals using locally available feed ingredients optimizing the feed costs while increasing productivity and reproductive efficacy.
• It helps farmers in management of nearly 29 common ailments of dairy animals e.g. mastitis, indigestion, diarrhea etc. using Ethno-Veterinary Medicine (EVM). This section also contains videos in various languages on disease management protocols through Ethno- Veterinary Medicine.
• Provides digital platform for buying/selling of dairy animals, information on source of quality semen doses available for various breeds of cattle and buffaloes and contact details for availability of IVF embryos and sex-sorted semen.
• Provides real-time information on breeding, nutrition and health of their animals from INAPH.
• It provides timely alerts on due date for vaccination, pregnancy diagnosis, calving etc. as well as information about various schemes on dairying and animal husbandry.
• Farmers can also directly connect to call centers for their queries on animal health, nutrition and breeding though this App.

Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI)

• It is a statutory body.
• It is an advisory body advising the Government of India on animal welfare laws, and promotes animal welfare in the country of India.
• The Animal Welfare Board of India was established in 1962 under Section 4 of The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act,1960.
• The Board consists of 28 Members, who serve for a period of 3 years.
• It works to ensure that animal welfare laws in the country are followed and provides grants to Animal Welfare Organisations.
• It frames a range of rules on how animals ought to be humanely treated everywhere. It has also frequently litigated to have stricter laws to ensure animals were not unduly harassed or tortured.

Role of AWBI

• It provides financial assistance to the recognized Gaushalas/ AWOs/ NGOs/ SPCAs and Local bodies for establishment of:

1. new animal Shelter House,
2. For maintenance of animal shelters,
3. Animals medicines,
4. Purchase of medical equipment,
5. Conducting veterinary camps etc.

• Rescued Cattle Maintenance Grant: for maintenance of the animals rescued from illegal transportation/slaughter-houses and Provision of Ambulance Services for animals in distress.
• Under Rashtriya Gokul Mission Government of India has been promoting is use of sex sorted semen for production of female calves with 90% accuracy.
• The extensive use of sex sorted semen will limit stray cattle population in the country.