National Milk Day 2025: Animal Husbandry and Dairying Department showcases achievements, presents Gopal Ratna Awards
- Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD) celebrated National Milk Day 2025, showcasing India’s Achievements in Livestock and Dairy Sector
- Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Prof. S.P.Singh Baghel Conferred National Gopal Ratna Awards 2025 on the Occasion
- Basic Animal Husbandry Statistics (BAHS) - 2025 and Guidelines for Minimum Standards of Veterinary Infrastructure in India launched
- 9 Breed Multiplication Farms inaugurated
On National Milk Day 2025, DAHD presented Gopal Ratna Awards, launched BAHS-2025 and Veterinary Infrastructure Guidelines; showcased India's dairy achievements...
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| Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD) celebrated National Milk Day 2025 showcasing India’s Achievements in Livestock and Dairy Sector. (Photo PIB) |
Delhi 27 NOV 2025 (by PIB)
The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD), Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Government of India, celebrated National Milk Day 2025 on 26th November, 2025 at the Sushma Swaraj Bhawan, New Delhi.
The event was graced by Prof. S.P.Singh Baghel, Minister of State, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, George Kurian, Minister of State, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Naresh Pal Gangwar, Secretary, DAHD, along with other senior officials of DAHD.
The event also witnessed countrywide participation from livestock farmers, milk federations, dairy co-operatives and experts.
Ms Varsha Joshi, Additional Secretary, DAHD, delivered the welcome address, acknowledging the presence of dignitaries and participants.
Naresh Pal Gangwar, Secretary, DAHD, congratulated all the participants and awardees on the occasion of National Milk Day and underlined the significance of scientific interventions like genetic improvement and advanced breeding techniques in achieving long-term growth in the livestock sector. He also encouraged the dairy farmers the adopt of advanced technologies like Sex Sorted Semen, In-Vitro Fertilisation (IVF), etc. He also highlighted the impact of the Dairy Cooperatives in the economic upliftment of the dairy farmers.
During the ceremony, Prof. S.P.Singh Baghel presented the National Gopal Ratna Awards to winners in three categories: Best Dairy Farmer rearing indigenous cattle/buffalo breeds, Best Artificial Insemination Technician, and Best Dairy Cooperative Society (DCS)/Milk Producer Company/Dairy Farmer Producer Organisation.
In his address, the Minister of State emphasised the pivotal role of the dairy sector in the Indian economy and highlighted how, through the efforts of the Government of India, per capita milk availability in India has increased significantly, reaching 485 grams per day, surpassing the global average of 329 grams per day.
He also encouraged the dairy farmers and stated that the strength of the nation lies in the villages. The Minister in his speech, also lauded the winners of the National Gopal Ratna Awardee and also highlighted the prospects of the dairying sector.
The Minister of State also launched the Guidelines for Minimum Standards of Veterinary Infrastructure in India. The guidelines outline a uniform four-tier structure for veterinary service delivery, comprising of Primary Veterinary Care Centres (PVCCs), Block-Level Veterinary Hospitals, District-Level Veterinary Hospitals, and State-Level Polyclinics / Referral Centres and will facilitate States to enhance veterinary service delivery.
Launch of Basic Animal Husbandry Statistics (BAHS) 2025 has also been done by the Minister of State, providing updated and comprehensive data for policy planning.
Prof. S.P. Singh Baghel flagged off 20 modern insulated milk tankers commissioned by Ropar Milk Union under the National Programme for Dairy Development (NPDD), supported through the JICA-assisted Project – Component B: Dairying through Cooperatives. During the event, the inauguration of 9 Breed Multiplication Farms in the states was also done.
During the event, Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying also read the Preamble of the Constitution of India along with all the participants present to uphold the values of justice, liberty, equality and fraternity.
Mr George Kurian, Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, congratulated all the awardees of the National Gopal Ratna Awards 2025 and applauded the adoption of advanced technologies like artificial insemination and embryo transfer to improve dairy productivity. He also highlighted the need to further strengthen the available veterinary services and the adoption of the latest scientific technologies for accelerating growth in India's livestock sector.
The event also witnessed thought-provoking panel discussions on the theme “Enhancing animal productivity - Experiences sharing with technical experts and progressive farmers” where experts and progressive farmers shared their insight, practical experiences, innovative practices, adoption of latest scientific adoption and field-level strategies that have led to measurable improvements in animal production.
The event served as a platform to honour the achievements of farmers involved in the livestock and dairy sector.
