The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD) announced the winners of the National Gopal Ratna Awards (NGRA) 2024, recognizing outstanding contributions in the livestock and dairy sector. These awards, among the most prestigious in the field, will be presented during the National Milk Day celebrations on November 26, 2024, at the Manekshaw Centre, New Delhi. Union Minister Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh will confer the awards in the presence of Prof. S.P. Singh Baghel and Shri George Kurian, Ministers of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying.
Award Categories and Winners
The NGRA 2024 winners, chosen from 2,574 applicants, represent three categories:
- Best Dairy Farmer Rearing Indigenous Cattle/Buffalo Breeds
- 1st: Smt. Renu (Jhajjar, Haryana)
- 2nd: Shri Devendra Singh Parmar (Shajapur, Madhya Pradesh)
- 3rd: Smt. Surbhi Singh (Bijnor, Uttar Pradesh)
- Special NER Award: Ms. Juna Tamuli Barman and Mrs. Junuma Mali (Assam)
- Best Dairy Cooperative Society/Milk Producer Company/Dairy Farmer Producer Organization
- 1st: Gabat Milk Producers Cooperative Society (Gujarat) and Bisanal MPCS (Karnataka)
- 2nd: Pratppura Dugdh Utpadak Sahakari Samiti (Rajasthan)
- 3rd: Vadapathy MPCS (Tamil Nadu)
- Special NER Award: Kamdhenu Dugdha Utpadak Samabay Samitee (Assam)
- Best Artificial Insemination Technician (AIT)
- 1st: Shri Bhaskar Pradhan (Odisha) and Mr. Rajender Kumar (Rajasthan)
- 2nd: Mr. Virender Kumar Saini (Rajasthan)
- 3rd: Shri V. Anil Kumar (Andhra Pradesh)
- Special NER Award: Shri Md. Abdur Rahim (Assam)
Prize Details
The awards include cash prizes of ₹5 lakh for first place, ₹3 lakh for second place, ₹2 lakh for third place, and ₹2 lakh for Special NER Awards, along with certificates and mementos. AIT winners receive certificates and mementos.
Importance of the Livestock Sector
The livestock sector contributes one-third of the agriculture GVA and has a CAGR of over 8%. It plays a vital role in farmer income, food security, and empowering marginalized groups. Recognizing the potential of indigenous bovine breeds, the government launched the Rashtriya Gokul Mission in 2014 to conserve and enhance these breeds under the National Programme for Bovine Breeding and Dairy Development.
These awards underline the government’s commitment to fostering innovation and excellence in the livestock and dairy sectors, crucial for India’s economic and agricultural growth.