National Gopal Ratna Award

Context:

Nominations for the National Gopal Ratna Award for 2024 are now open.

• Overview: Since 2021, the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying has awarded the National Gopal Ratna Award annually under the Rashtriya Gokul Mission. This is one of the highest national awards in livestock and dairy, aimed at farmers rearing indigenous livestock.

Objective: To motivate milk-producing farmers, dairy cooperative societies/MPC/FPOs, and Artificial Insemination Technicians (AITs).

Award Categories:

• Best Dairy Farmer rearing indigenous cattle/buffalo breeds.
• Best Dairy Cooperative Society (DCS)/Milk Producer Company (MPC)/Dairy Farmer Producer Organization (FPO).
• Best Artificial Insemination Technician (AIT).
• Special award for North-Eastern Region (NER) States (introduced in 2024).

Award Components:

• For Best Dairy Farmer and Best DCS/FPO/MPCs:
  • 1st rank: Rs. 5,00,000
  • 2nd rank: Rs. 3,00,000
  • 3rd rank: Rs. 2,00,000
  • Special Award for NER: Rs. 2,00,000
• For Best Artificial Insemination Technician (AIT):
  • Certificate of merit and a memento (no cash prize).

Award Ceremony:

The awards will be presented on National Milk Day, November 26.

Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM):

• Launched: 2014
• Purpose: To develop and conserve indigenous breeds through selective breeding and genetic upgradation of the nondescript bovine population.
• Implementing Agency: Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying.
• State Implementing Agency: Livestock Development Boards.
• Participating Agencies: CFSPTI, CCBFs, ICAR, universities, colleges, NGOs, etc.

Components:

• Availability of high genetic merit germplasm.
• Extension of the artificial insemination network.
• Development and conservation of indigenous breeds.
• Skill development.
• Farmer awareness.
• Research development and innovation in bovine breeding.

Objectives:

• Enhance bovine productivity and sustainably increase milk production using advanced technologies.
• Promote the use of high genetic merit bulls for breeding.
• Increase artificial insemination coverage by strengthening the breeding network and providing services at farmers’ doorsteps.
• Scientifically and holistically promote indigenous cattle and buffalo rearing and conservation.

Funding Pattern:

• All components are funded on a 100% grant-in-aid basis, except:
  • Accelerated breed improvement program with a subsidy of Rs. 5,000 per IVF pregnancy.
  • Promotion of sex-sorted semen with a subsidy of up to 50% of the cost.
  • Establishment of a breed multiplication farm with a subsidy of up to 50% of the capital cost, up to Rs. 2.00 crore.

Initiatives under RGM:

• Awards:
  • Gopal Ratna Awards: For farmers with the best herd of indigenous breeds.
  • Kamdhenu Awards: For best-managed indigenous herds by institutions, trusts, NGOs, Gaushalas, or breeders’ societies.
• Gokul Gram: Develop indigenous breeds, including up to 40% nondescript breeds.
• National Kamdhenu Breeding Centres: Centers of excellence for developing and conserving indigenous breeds.
• Pashu Sanjivni: Animal wellness program providing health cards (‘Nakul Swasthya Patra’) with UID identification and data uploading on a national database.
• Advanced Reproductive Technology: Including IVF, MOET, and sex-sorted semen techniques to improve the availability of disease-free female bovines.
• National Bovine Genomic Center for Indigenous Breeds (NBGC-IB): For selecting high genetic merit breeding bulls at a young age using precise gene-based technology.