The Department of Science and Technology (DST) has initiated an inter-ministerial funding programme called Scientific Utilisation through Research Augmentation - Prime Products from Indigenous Cows (SUTRA-PIC India).

According to a reply in the Lok Sabha in 2017, Union Minister Harsh Vardhan said that the Scientific Validation and Research on Panchagavya (SVAROP) has been renamed as the SUTRA-PIC India programme.

Panchagavya is a mixture of five (pancha) products of the cow (gavya) - milk, curd, ghee, dung and urine.

The DST has constituted a national steering committee to act as an apex body for guiding this programme.

The programme will involve the participation of research institutions, academics and organisations to carry out R&D work, technology development and capacity building at local level covering five thematic areas…

Uniqueness of indigenous cows: Indian cows are believed to possess certain unique qualities and characteristics. It is well known that Indian cows remain healthy and can survive in the local environment. Studies on metagenomic and proteogenomic analysis of Indian cows need detailed scientific investigations. Thus, one of the major aims under this theme is the systematic scientific investigation of the uniqueness of pure indigenous Indian cows.

Medicine and health: Cowpathy is a treatment based on products obtained from indigenous cows as used in Ayurveda. The ancient Ayurvedic literature (Vir Charak Samhita, Sushrut Samhita, Gad Nigrah) suggests a number of pharmacological applications of prime products from indigenous cows for treatment. Though many practitioners are using prime products from indigenous cows for various treatments, there is not much scientific studies and research on the same.

Agricultural applications: It is believed that cow dung and urine are rich in microbial communities and can therefore be investigated for their bio-pesticidal values. The project aims to perform scientific investigations of the role of prime products from indigenous cows on plant growth, soil health, providing immunity in plants, their application as organic manure and bio-pesticide in agriculture, among other uses.

Food and nutrition: Ayurveda has given highest importance to cow’s milk, curd and ghee. It is believed that Indian cow’s milk is the very essential part of the balanced diet which is essential to have on a daily basis to get all the required healthy nutrients in form of the vitamins, minerals and protein. The project aims to perform scientific research on complete characterisation of milk and milk products derived from Indian indigenous cows, research on nutritional and therapeutic properties of curd and ghee prepared from indigenous breeds of cows by traditional methods.

Utility items: The major areas of interventions for the development of utility products based on prime products from indigenous cows may include mosquito repellent, floor cleaner, personal care products like dant manjan, hair oil, shampoos, conditioners, etc. It proposes to standardise effective, economic and eco-friendly preparations of utility products from the prime components of indigenous cows.

Other major schemes

The central government has undertaken several steps for the development of cattle population in the country. The programmes include…

Rashtriya Gokul Mission: It was launched in December 2014 for the development and conservation of indigenous bovine breeds, thereby enhancing milk production and productivity. The framework of the scheme is to enhance milk production and productivity through the induction of high genetic merit bulls for semen production, field performance recording, strengthening of bulls mother farms and setting up of Gokul Grams.

National Mission on Bovine Productivity: It is being implemented for enhancing productivity of milch animals through extension of artificial insemination (AI) coverage. This is done through establishment of Multi Purpose AI Technicians in Rural India (MAITRIs), strengthening of existing AI centres, monitoring of AI, etc. It was launched in November 2016 with the aim of enhancing milk production and productivity and thereby making dairying more remunerative to farmers.

National Dairy Plan: It is a World Bank assisted project being implemented in 18 major dairy states with the aim of enhancing milk production and productivity in order to meet demand through strengthening of semen stations, bull production programme (progeny testing and pedigree selection), ration balancing programme, etc.

Breed Improvement Institutes: Two national Kamdhenu breeding centres are being established in Andhra Pradesh for southern region and other in Madhya Pradesh for northern region of the country with the aim of development and conservation of indigenous breeds in a scientific manner and thereby enhancing milk production and productivity.

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