The Gopal Ratna Award Scheme, initiated by the Department of Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services, Govt. of Goa, honors eminent dairy farmers who achieve the highest individual milk production through scientific dairy farming. This scheme aims not only to recognize outstanding performance in dairy farming but also to encourage more farmers to adopt modern, scientific methods and consider dairy farming as a viable business.
Objectives
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Honor Excellence: Recognize eminent personalities in the field of dairy farming.
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Felicitation: Appreciate dairy farmers for achieving the highest milk production through scientific practices.
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Encouragement: Motivate dairy farmers to take up dairy activities as a business.
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Self-sufficiency: Contribute to making Goa self-sufficient in milk production.
Benefits
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Award Components:
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A Certificate of Appreciation
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A Memento
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A cash prize of ₹1,00,000/-
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Conferment: The award is presented on Independence Day (15th August) by the Honourable Chief Minister of Goa.
Eligibility
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Dairy Farmer: The applicant must be a dairy farmer actively engaged in the field.
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Contribution: Must have achieved the highest milk production in the state by practicing scientific dairy farming.
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Membership: The applicant should be a member of a registered Dairy Co-operative Society, Bachat Gat, or Self Help Group.
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Registration: Must have registered their dairy farm with the Department of Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services via the designated Area Officers.
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Residency: Should be a bona fide resident of Goa for at least the preceding five years, owning a cattle shed with milch animals in Goa.
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Production Criteria: Must have produced a minimum of 1,00,000 litres of milk in the preceding year (April to March) with an average of at least 250 litres per day, supplied to the registered cooperative or group.
Exclusions
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No award will be presented posthumously. However, if the applicant dies after submission and qualifies, the award may be posthumously presented to the legal heir.
Application Process
Offline Submission:
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Visit: Interested applicants should visit the Department of Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services at Pashusamvardhan Bhavan, MG Road, Patto, Panaji, Goa 403001.
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Obtain Form: Either print the application proforma from the department’s resources or request a hard copy from the Area Officer.
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Fill Form: Complete all mandatory fields, affix a signed passport-sized photograph, and attach all required documents (self-attested if necessary).
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Submit: Hand over the duly filled and signed application along with the supporting documents to the Area Officer.
Documents Required
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Membership Evidence: Proof of membership in a registered Dairy Co-operative Society, Bachat Gat, or Self Help Group.
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Production Records: Detailed records of the number of animals, lactation stages, milk yield, calving dates, and the address of the cattle shed.
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Residential Certificate: Proof of residency in Goa.
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Registration Proof: Document showing registration of the dairy farm with the Department of Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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Task Force Committee Details:
Information regarding the committee responsible for scrutinizing the applications is available in the official guidelines. -
Application Format:
Dairy farmers must follow the prescribed application format provided by the department. -
Milk Production Verification:
The scheme includes mechanisms to verify that applicants meet the minimum milk production requirements through production records and audits. -
Membership Requirement:
Only dairy farmers who are members of a recognized Dairy Co-operative Society, Bachat Gat, or Self Help Group are eligible to apply. -
Late Submissions:
The guidelines specify that applications must be submitted within the set timeframe; late submissions are generally not accepted. -
Award Benefits:
Selected dairy farmers receive a Certificate of Appreciation, a Memento, and a cash prize of ₹1,00,000, which is conferred on Independence Day. -
Posthumous Awards:
Awards are not normally granted posthumously. However, if the applicant passes away after application submission but qualifies, the award may be presented to the legal heir. -
Supporting Documents:
Applicants need to submit proof of membership, detailed production records, a residential certificate, and registration documents of the dairy farm. -
Role of the Directorate:
The Directorate of Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services oversees the implementation and administration of the scheme.