On November 26th, 2025, the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD), Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Government of India celebrated National Milk Day 2025 at the Sushma Swaraj Bhawan, New Delhi. The event was graced by Hon'ble Minister of State Prof. S.P.Singh Baghel, Shri. George Kurian, Shri. Naresh Pal Gangwar, Secretary, DAHD, and other officials. Ms. Varsha Joshi, Additional Secretary, DAHD, delivered the welcome address.
During the event, the National Gopal Ratna Awards 2025 were conferred by Prof. S.P.Singh Baghel in three categories: Best Dairy Farmer, Best Artificial Insemination Technician, and Best Dairy Cooperative Society/Milk Producer Company/Dairy Farmer Producer Organization. Per capita milk availability in India has increased to 485 grams per day, surpassing the global average of 329 grams per day. The Hon'ble Minister of State launched the Guidelines for Minimum Standards of Veterinary Infrastructure in India, outlining a four-tier structure for veterinary service delivery (Primary Veterinary Care Centres, Block-Level Veterinary Hospitals, District-Level Veterinary Hospitals, and State-Level Polyclinics/Referral Centres). The Basic Animal Husbandry Statistics (BAHS) - 2025 was also launched.
Prof. Shri S.P. Singh Baghel flagged off 20 modern insulated milk tankers commissioned by Ropar Milk Union under the National Programme for Dairy Development (NPDD). 9 Breed Multiplication Farms were inaugurated. Shri George Kurian, Hon'ble Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying congratulated all the awardees of National Gopal Ratna Awards 2025 and applauded the adoption of advanced technologies. The event also featured panel discussions on “Enhancing animal productivity - Experiences sharing with technical experts and progressive farmers”.
Key Entities Referenced
Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD): The central government department responsible for policies and programs related to animal husbandry and dairying.
National Gopal Ratna Awards: National awards conferred to recognize individuals and organizations contributing to the livestock and dairy sector.
National Programme for Dairy Development (NPDD): A central government scheme to promote and support the development of the dairy sector.
Basic Animal Husbandry Statistics (BAHS): A publication that provides updated and comprehensive data for policy planning in the animal husbandry sector.
Guidelines for Minimum Standards of Veterinary Infrastructure in India: Guidelines outlining a four-tier structure for veterinary service delivery in India.
Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying
Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying
(DAHD) celebrated National Milk Day 2025
showcasing India’s Achievements in Livestock
and Dairy Sector
Hon’ble 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
Posted On: 27 NOV 2025 8:57AM by PIB Delhi
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, Hon’ble Minister of State, Ministry of Fisheries,
Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Shri. George Kurian, Hon’ble Minister of State, Ministry of
Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Shri. 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.
Shri 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
livestock sector. He also encouraged the dairy farmers for the adoption of advanced technologies like
Sex Sorted Semen, In-Vitro Fertilization (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, the Hon’ble Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal
Husbandry & Dairying 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
Organization.
In his address, the Hon’ble Minister of State emphasized 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 Hon’ble Minister in his speech also lauded the winners of the
National Gopal Ratna Awardee and also highlighted the prospect of the dairying sector.The Hon’ble 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 Hon’ble
Minister of State, providing updated and comprehensive data for policy planning.Prof. Shri S.P. Singh Baghel, Hon’ble Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry &
Dairying 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, inauguration of 9 Breed
Multiplication Farms in states was also done.
During the event, Hon’ble 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.
Shri George Kurian, Hon’ble Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying
congratulated all the awardees of 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 also adoption
of the latest scientific technologies for accelerating growth in India 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 platform to honour the achievements of famers involved in livestock and dairy
sector.
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JP
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