Dr. Sanjeev Kumar Balyan, Union Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying has asked Government agencies and co-operative societies to extend more support  and  assistance to farmers to boost the growth of  dairying  and animal husbandry sector. This will also help the farmers to improve their level of income, the Minister said  while addressing the   “National Milk Day” celebrations in Bengaluru today. The event was organized  to commemorate the 101st birth anniversary of the “Father of the White Revolution in India”, Dr. Varghese Kurien.

The  Minister noted that besides hiking budget allocation,   the  Union Government has initiated various measures to  augment the growth of animal husbandry sector.  He also  recalled the contributions of  Dr. Verghese Kurien,  also known as the Milkman of India. 
The Minister   awarded the “National Gopal Ratna Awards   given for  the  best performance in the field of livestock and dairy sector under different categories. It carries a cash prize of five lakh rupees for first rank, three lakh  for second rank and two lakh rupees for third rank,  a certificate of merit and memento.

A book on the life of Dr. Varghese Kurian and a booklet on Milk Adulteration were also released on the occasion. The Minister virtually laid the foundation stone of Advanced Training Facility at Central Frozen Semen Production and Training Institute,  Karnataka Bovine IVF-(Invitro-fertilization) activities at Central Cattle Breeding Farm, Heseraghatta in the city.

Later,  the Minister inaugurated the Animal Quarantine Certification Services in Hasserghata,  The AQCS ,  equipped with     online clearance system for import of livestock products and livestock, is expected to give a filip to the  local economy.

Shri S.T Somashekar, Minister of Co-Operation, Goverment of Karnataka ,  Shri Balachandra L. Jarkiholi, Chairman, Karnataka Milk Federation, Shri. Rajesh Kumar Singh, Secretary, Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying and Ms. Varsha Joshi, Additional Secretary (Cattle and Dairy Development) and  farmers' representatives of various milk federations  were  present. 

The programmes were organised jointly by the Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying,  Government of India, Department of Animal Husbandry and Fisheries, Government of Karnataka, National Dairy Development Board and Karnataka Milk Federation.

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