Renu Sangwan, a progressive dairy farmer from Kharman village in Haryana’s Jhajjar district, has been honoured as the second runner-up ‘Richest Farmer of India’ 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 Shiny Dominic, Managing Director of Krishi Jagran, and other distinguished dignitaries.
The MFOI Awards 2024, organized by Krishi Jagran, with ICAR as co-organizer and sponsored by Mahindra Tractors, was held from December 1 to 3 at the IARI Grounds in Pusa, New Delhi. The event celebrated India’s most visionary and successful farmers, showcasing their innovative approaches. The awards attracted over 1,000 participants, including policymakers, industry leaders, and progressive farmers. From an astounding 22,000 nominations, 400 individuals were honored, with plans to present an additional 1,000 awards at state-level ceremonies.
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.
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.
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 ₹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.
Their story serves as an inspiration for aspiring dairy farmers to adopt indigenous breeds, prioritize animal health, and practice sustainable farming. As Renu 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.
