Renu Sangwan, a progressive dairy farmer from Kharman village in Haryana’s Jhajjar district, has received the 'National Award' in the 'Millionaire Dairy Farmer of India' category at the Millionaire Farmer of India (MFOI) Awards 2024. This prestigious recognition was presented on December 3, 2024, during a grand ceremony at the IARI Grounds in Pusa, New Delhi. The award was conferred by Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, alongside Ujjwal Mukherjee, Head of Marketing Services, Mahindra Farm Division, Shiny Dominic, Managing Director of Krishi Jagran, and other distinguished dignitaries.
A Celebration of Excellence in Agriculture
The MFOI Awards 2024, organized by Krishi Jagran in collaboration with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) as Co-organizer and sponsored by Mahindra Tractors, was held from December 1-3, 2024, at the iconic IARI Grounds, Pusa, New Delhi. The three-day event brought together over 1,000 influential participants, including policymakers, industry leaders, research scholars, and progressive farmers, to celebrate innovation and collaboration in agriculture. From a staggering 22,000 nominations, 400 exceptional individuals were honored at the event, with an additional 1,000 awards to be presented at state-level ceremonies in the coming months.
Renu's Journey in Dairy Farming
Renu’s journey in the dairy industry is nothing short of inspiring. Starting in 2017 with just nine indigenous cows, she transformed Gokul Farm Shri Krishna Godham into a model of sustainable dairy farming in India. Together with her son, Dr. Vinay Sangwan, she focused on nurturing indigenous breeds like Sahiwal, Gir, Rathi, Tharparkar, and Hariana, known for their nutritious milk and cost-effectiveness. Today, the farm houses over 280 cows and stands as a testament to sustainable agricultural practices.
Expanding Global Reach with Premium Dairy Products
Dedication to innovation and animal welfare has been pivotal to their success. By incorporating modern technologies such as automatic milking machines and advanced cleaning systems, the farm ensures operational efficiency and hygiene. Additionally, it produces premium dairy products like ghee, paneer, and barfi, with its ghee finding demand in 24 countries. This diversification has propelled Gokul Farm’s turnover to an impressive Rs 3 crore for the 2023-24 fiscal year.
Renu and her son have also embraced cutting-edge practices like selling indigenous bull semen to promote quality breeding, all while maintaining high standards of animal welfare. Despite challenges like resource constraints and livestock health management, their focus on cleanliness, regular vaccinations, and high-quality fodder has been key to their success.
Recently, Renu Sangwan's remarkable contributions to dairy farming were celebrated with the prestigious National Gopal Ratna Puraskar 2024. This award was presented by the Government of India on National Milk Day, recognizing her dedication to promoting indigenous breeds and sustainable farming practices, marking her as a leading figure in modern Indian agriculture.
Vision Behind MFOI Awards:
The idea of the Millionaire Farmer of India (MFOI) Awards was conceived by MC Dominic, Editor-in-Chief of Krishi Jagran. His deep understanding of the agricultural landscape and his recognition of farmers’ immense yet often overlooked contributions led to the conception of this groundbreaking initiative. The MFOI Awards celebrate the unsung heroes of Indian agriculture, shining a spotlight on the individuals shaping the future of farming.
Renu's story serves as an inspiration for aspiring dairy farmers to adopt indigenous breeds, prioritize animal health, and practice sustainable farming. As she continues to lead by example, her vision is to inspire farmers across India to embrace innovative techniques and diversify their income through value-added dairy products.
