• The nomination process of National Gopal Ratna Award-2024 will start from July 15.

• The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying said that a special award for northeast will be given from this year onwards to boost diary development in this region.

• Indigenous bovine breeds of India are robust and possess the genetic potential to play a crucial role in the national economy.

• The Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM) was launched in December 2014 with a view to conserve and develop indigenous bovine breeds in a scientific manner.

• The scheme is continued under revised and realigned schemes of the Department from 2021-22 to 2025-26 with an allocation of Rs 2,400 crore.

• Under this mission, since 2021, this department has been conferring National Gopal Ratna Award every year with an objective to encourage the milk producing farmers, dairy cooperative societies/MPC/FPOs and Artificial Insemination Technicians (AITs).

• Nominations for the award should be submitted online through the National Award portal starting from July 15 and the closing date for submission of nomination will be August 31. 

• The awards will be conferred on the occasion of National Milk day — November 26.

National Gopal Ratna Award is for the following categories:

a) Best Dairy farmer rearing indigenous cattle/buffalo breeds.

b) Best Dairy Cooperative Society (DCS)/Milk producer Company (MPC)/ Dairy Farmer Producer Organisation (FPO).

c) Best Artificial Insemination Technician (AIT).

• The award 2024 will be conferred to three ranks and one Special Award for North Eastern Region (NER) States in each category.

• The government said Rs 5 lakh will be awarded for first rank; Rs 3 lakh for second rank and Rs 2 lakh for third rank and Rs 2 lakh for Special Award for North Eastern Region.

• In the case of Best Artificial Insemination Technician (AIT) category, National Gopal Ratna Award-2024 will consist of a certificate of merit and a memento only.

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