About National Gopal Ratna Awards (NGRA):
- NGRA are the country’s highest honours in the livestock and dairy sector.
- It was constituted by the Department of Animal Husbandry, and Dairying under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying.
- It was launched under the Rashtriya Gokul Mission in 2021.
- Objective: It aims to encourage excellence among milk-producing farmers, dairy cooperatives, Milk Producer Companies (MPCs), Dairy Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), and Artificial Insemination Technicians (AITs).
- The NGRA will be conferred in the following categories:
- Best Dairy farmer rearing indigenous cattle/buffalo breeds (list of registered breeds Annexed).
- Best Dairy Cooperative Society (DCS)/ Milk Producer Company (MPC)/Dairy Farmer Producer Organization (FPO).
- Best Artificial Insemination Technician (AIT).
- There is also a provision of Special award for the North Eastern Region (NER) and Himalayan States so as to encourage and boost the dairy development activities in these States/UTs.
- The Award consists of a cash prize of 5 lakh for 1st rank, Rs. 3 lakh for 2nd rank, Rs. 2 lakh for 3rd rank and Rs. 2 lakh for Special Award for North Eastern Region, along with a Certificate of merit and a memento in the first two categories i.e Best Dairy Farmer and Best DCS/FPO/MPCs.
- In the Best Artificial Insemination Technician (AIT) category, NGA will consist of a Certificate of merit and a memento.
