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Picture Courtesy: https://dairynews7x7.com/national-gopal-ratna-award-2024-winners-announced/

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On November 26, 2024, during the National Milk Day celebrations at the Manekshaw Centre in New Delhi, the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD) announced the winners of the National Gopal Ratna Award (NGRA) 2024.

What is the National Gopal Ratna Award (NGRA)?

It is one of the highest national awards in the livestock and dairy industries to recognize and encourage individuals such as indigenous animal farmers, AI technicians, and dairy cooperatives.

These awards are presented annually to recognize outstanding contributions in the fields of animal husbandry and dairying.

The NGRA are awarded in three categories

Best dairy farmer raising indigenous cattle and buffalo breeds.

Best artificial insemination technician (AIT).

Best Dairy Cooperative, Milk Producer Company, or Dairy Farmer Producer Organization.

This year, a special award for the North Eastern Region (NER) was introduced in all categories to encourage dairy development in that area.

Role of the livestock sector in India’s economy

The livestock sector accounts for one-third of the agriculture and allied sectors' Gross Value Added (GVA) and is growing at a rate of more than 8% per year.

It has a significant impact on farmer income, especially for small and marginal farmers, women, and the landless.

Millions of people across the country benefit from the sector's affordable and nutritious food alternatives.

Initiative to conserve indigenous bovine breeds

National Programme for Dairy Development (NPDD)

Implemented across the country since February 2014 with the objective of creating/strengthening infrastructure for quality milk production, procurement, processing, and marketing of milk and milk products through the State Implementing Agency (SIA), i.e. the State Cooperative Dairy Federation.

Rashtriya Gokul Mission

The Mission was launched in December 2014 under the National Programme for Bovine Breeding and Dairy Development to conserve and develop indigenous bovine breeds to increase the productivity and conservation of indigenous cattle.

Livestock Health & Disease Control Programme (LHDCP)

The Union Government supports the efforts of the State Governments/Union Territories by providing financial assistance through the 'LHDCP'.

It is a Central sector scheme, intending to reduce risk to animal health through prophylactic vaccination against animal diseases, capacity building of Veterinary services, disease surveillance, and strengthening Veterinary infrastructure.

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Source:

PIB

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q.Consider the following statements:

1. The dairy sector contributes 5% to the national economy.

2. About 15% of the milk produced worldwide comes from India.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

A) 1 only

B) 2 only

C) Both 1 and 2

D) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: A

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct:

Dairy is India's largest agricultural commodity, accounting for 5% of the national economy and directly employing over 8 crore farmers.

Statement 2 is incorrect:

India is the world's leading producer of milk, accounting for 24% of global production in 2022-23, with 230.58 million tonnes produced. India's per capita milk availability reached 459 grams per day in 2022-23, which is significantly higher than the global average of 323 grams per day.