Explanation:

The Government of India has unveiled a programme to research on ‘indigenous’ cows. The initiative is called SUTRA PIC or Scientific Utilisation Through Research Augmentation-Prime Products from Indigenous Cows. The objective is Scientific research will be carried out milk products derived from Indian indigenous cows.

It has five themes:

• Uniqueness of Indigenous Cows,
• Prime-products from Indigenous Cows for Medicine & Health,
• Prime-products from Indigenous Cows for Agricultural Applications,
• Prime-products from Indigenous Cows for Food & Nutrition and
• Prime-products from indigenous cows-based utility items.

To be funded by multiple scientific ministries, the initiative is led by the Department of Science and Technology (DST). Researchers from academic organisations as well as NGOs active in India were invited to apply for funding.