Hon’ble Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Prof. S.P. Singh Baghel, conferred the National Gopal Ratna Awards 2025 to winners across three categories: Best Dairy Farmer rearing indigenous breeds, Best Artificial Insemination Technician, and Best Dairy Cooperative Society or Milk Producer Organization. The awards recognised outstanding contributions in promoting dairy productivity and innovation.
Launch of BAHS 2025 & Veterinary Guidelines
The Hon’ble Minister launched the Basic Animal Husbandry Statistics (BAHS) 2025, providing comprehensive data for policy planning and livestock development. Additionally, the Guidelines for Minimum Standards of Veterinary Infrastructure in India were unveiled, establishing a four-tier structure for veterinary services including Primary Veterinary Care Centres, Block and District-Level Hospitals, and State-Level Polyclinics.
Infrastructure and Modernization Initiatives
Prof. Baghel flagged off 20 modern insulated milk tankers commissioned by Ropar Milk Union under the National Programme for Dairy Development. The event also marked the inauguration of nine Breed Multiplication Farms across various states, aimed at strengthening indigenous breed propagation and improving dairy yields nationwide.
Empowering Dairy Farmers
Shri Naresh Pal Gangwar, Secretary, DAHD, emphasised the importance of scientific interventions like genetic improvement, Sex Sorted Semen, and In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF) in livestock growth. He highlighted the role of dairy cooperatives in uplifting farmers economically. Shri George Kurian, Hon’ble Minister of State, encouraged adoption of advanced technologies to accelerate dairy productivity and strengthen veterinary services.
Panel Discussions and Knowledge Sharing
The event hosted panel discussions on “Enhancing Animal Productivity” where technical experts and progressive farmers shared practical insights, innovative practices, and strategies for measurable improvements in livestock output. This initiative served as a platform to honor the contributions of farmers and promote knowledge exchange for sectoral growth.
Constitutional Values and Participation
Hon’ble Minister Prof. S.P. Singh Baghel read the Preamble of the Constitution along with participants, underscoring the values of justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity. The celebration reflected the government’s commitment to supporting India’s dairy sector and fostering prosperity in rural communities.