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The census will emphasise breed management, utilising image-based technology to accurately identify livestock breeds, while prioritising critical aspects like animal health, productivity, and disease control to address the sector’s key challenges.

Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying, Rajiv Ranjan Singh, launched the 21st Livestock Census in New Delhi, which will be conducted until February 2025. The 21st Livestock Census will cover over 30 crore households across all States and Union Territories, including nomadic communities and pastoralists, ensuring that the diversity of India’s livestock practices is captured. The census will focus on important areas such as gender roles in livestock rearing, offering a deeper understanding of women’s contributions to the sector. It will also emphasize breed management, utilizing image-based technology to accurately identify livestock breeds, while prioritizing critical aspects like animal health, productivity, and disease control to address the sector’s key challenges.

21st Livestock Census will play a pivotal role in shaping livestock-centred schemes and initiatives, such as the National Gokul Mission, Livestock Health & Disease Control (LH&DC), and the National Programme for Dairy Development (NPDD). By providing comprehensive and updated data, the census will help identify the needs and opportunities in the sector, enabling the government to fine-tune these programs for greater impact. The insights gathered will not only strengthen existing initiatives but also pave the way for new strategies aimed at enhancing livestock productivity, improving animal health, and boosting rural incomes. Ultimately, this will contribute to the sustainable growth of the livestock sector, benefiting millions of households and driving overall economic development.

Rajiv Ranjan Singh emphasized the critical role the Livestock Census plays in shaping policies that ensure the sustainable growth of India’s livestock sector. He noted, “India’s livestock sector is not only a major contributor to our rural economy but also a significant source of nutrition, employment, and income for millions of households. The 21st Livestock Census will provide us with updated data on the livestock population, which will allow the government to address key issues like disease control, breed improvement, and rural livelihoods. With the digital advancements introduced in this census, we are confident that the data collected will be more accurate, timely, and comprehensive than ever before.”

He also highlighted the innovations brought in this census, such as a mobile application for data collection and real-time monitoring through a web-based dashboard, marking a significant step toward modernizing data collection methodologies.

Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying, George Kurian, emphasized the sector’s vital role in GDP contribution and job creation, especially in rural areas. He noted, “Livestock supports the livelihoods of over 2.1 crore people and is essential to India’s agricultural economy. The data collected from the 21st Livestock Census will help us pinpoint areas where we can intervene to enhance rural livelihoods and improve animal health.” 

Alka Upadhyay, Secretary of DAHD, detailed the extensive preparations for the census launch. “We have trained over one lakh field personnel, conducted regional and state-level training sessions, and established a strong digital infrastructure to ensure seamless and accurate data collection. The innovations in this census, including offline data capture, breed identification through images, and real-time monitoring, will guarantee that this initiative runs efficiently across India.

The census will emphasise breed management, utilising

The latest IVF media would make the IVF technology more affordable to farmers, reducing costs and enhancing the farmer-centric model of animal husbandry and dairy development.

 Indian Immunologicals Limited (IIL), a leading vaccine manufacturer, has announced the launch of “Shashthi” an indigenous In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF) media developed in collaboration with National Dairy Development Board (NDDB). This launch of IVF media would make the IVF technology more affordable to farmers, reducing costs and enhancing the farmer-centric model of animal husbandry and dairy development. This will promote self-reliance and reduce dependency on imported media and aligns with the vision of “Atmanirbhar Bharat”.

In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a significant advancement in reproductive technology. IVF involves fertilizing an egg in a controlled laboratory environment and selecting the healthiest embryos for transfer. During the last couple of years, Ovum Pick Up and In vitro Embryo Production (OPU-IVEP) have emerged as a replacement for the in vivo embryo production technique. It is envisaged that using this technology to multiply the superior bovine germplasm can change the face of dairying in India.

Presently, around 8,000 to 10,000 embryos are transferred annually in India, leading to the birth of approximately 2,000 to 2,500 calves, benefiting same number of farmers. However, with increasing coverage of IVF and generous government subsidies, this penetration is expected to rise significantly.

Globally, OPU-IVEP-ET is on a rising trend, with around 15.95 lakh IVF embryos produced during 2022, as per information from the International Embryo Technology Society (IETS). In India, the adoption of OPU-IVEP technology is gradually increasing, thanks to recent emphasis from the Government of India. However, several challenges hinder its widespread application in the field. One of the most significant obstacles is the high cost of the media required for various procedures. Approximately 50 per cent of the total cost of embryo production is attributed to the media. The complete reliance on imported commercial media significantly increases the overall cost of embryo production, posing a barrier to the widespread adoption of this technology in India.

The latest IVF media would make the

The modernisation project will also generate new employment opportunities of skilled and unskilled nature.

Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying Parshottam Rupala inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for the project to modernize and upgrade the Paradip Fishing Harbour at Paradip in Odisha.

Parshottam Rupala informed that the Central Government has approved the proposal of the Paradip Port Authority for modernization and upgrading of the Paradip Fishing Harbour at a total estimated cost of Rs 108.91 Crore with 100 per cent central financial assistance under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) in collaboration with the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways under the Sagarmala Scheme. This Fishing Harbour Project shall be implemented by Paradip Port Authority with a completion period of 18 months.

Union Minister FAHD highlighted that by upgrading existing facilities, providing new, efficient, and essential infrastructure facilities, mechanizing the fish process, and good management practices by an efficient management body, the modernization and upgradation of the Paradip Fishing Harbour will improve its hygienic conditions and make the Harbour clean, pollution free, and aesthetically pleasing. He said that this modernization of Fishing Harbour will improve the lives of the thousands of Fishermen and allied workers who depend on the Harbour for their livelihood. The modernization and value-addition activities taken up under the aforementioned project will also generate new employment opportunities of skilled and unskilled nature.

Parshottam Rupala informed that the project on modernization and upgradation of Paradip Fishing Harbour envisages construction of a new Auction Hall, new Commercial Complex, Extension of Quay Wall, Shore Protection Works, Renovation of existing Auction Hall, Gear Shed, Fish Packing Shed, Ice crushing hall, first aid center, raising of compound wall, electrical works, overhead water tank, solar power plant, solar lights, navigational aids/radio communication equipment, ETP, Fire Fighting Equipment, Market Complex and paving of roads, landscaping with other ancillary utilities & services etc.

The Paradip Fishing Harbour, with an enclosed area of around 43 acres, is one of Odisha’s largest fishing harbours, located on the right bank of the river Mahanadi, 2 kilometres upstream of the river mouth in Jagatsinghpur District. The Harbour was initially built to oversee 370 numbers of 10 m vessels, 80 numbers of 13 m vessels, and 50 numbers of 15 m vessels, as well as traditional watercraft. Now, approximately 640 numbers of 15-meter vessels and 100 numbers of 9-meter Gill Netter (FRP boats) use the Harbour amenities.

The modernisation project will also generate new

The Product Processing Utilisation & Training Wing has been inaugurated to explore the immense opportunities in the camel product processing sector

Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Parshottam Rupala, inaugurates the ‘Camel Product Processing Utilisation & Training Wing’ at the ICAR centre in Bikaner. ICAR–Bikaner is a Premier Research Centre and an autonomous organisation under the Department of Agricultural Research and Education, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. Considering the importance of camel in the socio-economic development of arid and semi-arid zones, the Government of India established a Project Directorate on Camel at Bikaner in 1984, which was upgraded to National Research Centre on Camel (NRCC) in, 1995

The Centre has been identified as one of the important tourist places of Bikaner and is included in the tourist book. A camel museum is available to apprise them of the developmental and research aspects of the camel in the desert ecosystem. Every year thousands of Foreign and Indian tourists visit the centre.

The Product Processing Utilisation & Training Wing at the centre has been inaugurated by taking into consideration the immense opportunities that this sector holds.

Parshottam Rupala interacted with pastoralists and the pastoral community at the research centre. Further, the Minister also visited the institute’s facilities and interacted with the scientist and domain experts. Detailed discussions followed on the significance of the inception of this producinstitute’s facilities and interactions shall benefit the pastoral community.

While inaugurating the training wing, Parshottam Rupala said, ‘With the Animal Husbandry sector emerging as one of the diversified drivers of economic growth and rural income, there is a need for technological infusion, public investments, and policy reforms. Further, the Union Minister also said that this centre is beneficial not only to the pastoral communities in the state of Rajasthan but India as a whole. He added that the Ministry aims to work in tandem with the stakeholders for the continued growth of the livestock sector.

The Product Processing Utilisation & Training Wing

The Department has deputed a two-member central team to assist the State in the control and containment operations.

Avian Influenza (H5N1) was detected by the ICAR-National Institute of High-Security Animal Disease, Bhopal from the samples received from the Government Poultry Farm at Bokaro, Jharkhand. The Department issued a notification.  The last occurrence of Avian Influenza was reported in the Godda district of Jharkhand in January 2019. 

The State is advised to carry out the control and containment operations as per the Action Plan for Prevention, Control and Containment of Avian Influenza (2021). The Department has deputed a two-member central team to assist the State in the control and containment operations. Also, the Ministry of Health has deputed its central team for an overview of the surveillance in the human sector. Animal Husbandry Commissioner took a virtual meeting with the concerned officials of the State Animal Husbandry Department of Jharkhand to sensitise all before initiation of control and containment measures as per the Action Plan.

Compensation is paid to the farmers whose poultry birds, eggs and poultry feed are culled or disposed of by the State as per the action plan.

The state is advised to maintain sufficient stock of PPE kits and other accessories required for culling operations. The State is requested to coordinate with the departments of Health and Forest and sensitise them about Avian Influenza. The state is also requested to submit a daily report to this Department on the control measures taken by them.

The Department has deputed a two-member central

This initiative by the Government to involve the private sector towards policy forming will go a long way for the growth of the animal husbandry sector in India

Rajiv Gandhi, Founder, CEO & Managing Director of Hester Biosciences has been nominated as a member of the National Advisory Committee for Animal Husbandry and Dairying Sector, constituted by the government of India.

This committee, chaired by Union Minister (FAHD) Parshottam Rupalaji, has been constituted to recommend, prescribe and advise policies relating to cattle & dairy development, feed and fodder, poultry, piggery, sheep, goat and animal health.

This initiative by the Government to involve the private sector towards policy forming will go a long way for the growth of the animal husbandry sector in India.

Hester Biosciences was trading at Rs 2,196.60 up by Rs 31.5 or 1.45 per cent from its previous closing of Rs 2,165.10 on the BSE.

This initiative by the Government to involve the

The conclave focussed on three technical thematic sessions namely increasing productivity and improving animal health, value addition and market linkages and innovation and technology

Parshottam Rupala, Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying inaugurated the Unnat Pashudhan Sashakt Kisan Conclave-the conclave of 75 entrepreneurs and exhibition of 75 indigenous livestock breeds’ in New Delhi. Dr L Murugan, MoS, FAHD and Dr Sanjeev Kumar Balyan, MoS, FAHD were the Guests of Honour.

More than 1200 farmers were present in the event. The farmers from across the country were connected with the event through 1,000 common service centres.

Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Ministry of FAHD in association with CII has organised the Conclave with a focus on dairy and poultry farmers, innovative entrepreneurs, startups and industry.

Rupala launched the training programme for A-HELP at the conclave. The minister felicitated three Padma Shree awardees – Prof Moti Lal Madan, Dr Kushal Konwar Sarma and Dr Sosamma Iype during the event. Further, Rupala felicitated the winners of the Animal Husbandry Startup Grand Challenge 2.0 at the Conclave. A coffee table book about 75 indigenous breeds and 75 Entrepreneurs was launched at the Unnat Pashudhan Sashakt Kisan Conclave. The event showcased videos of four farmers who have achieved recognition at the national and global levels due to their innovative techniques in the farming and dairy sector.

The conference focussed on three technical thematic sessions namely increasing productivity and improving animal health, value addition and market linkages and innovation and technology.

The conclave focussed on three technical thematic

The institute has been able to bring in a revolutionary change in animal husbandry, fishery and food processing that has made a revolutionary change in the Goa

The Government of Goa felicitated the ICAR-Central Coastal Agricultural Research Institute, Goa on the occasion of 35th Statehood Day at Raj Bhavan, Goa.

Dr Parveen Kumar, Director, ICAR-CCARI received the award from Shripad Naik, Union Minister of State for Tourism, Shipyard and Waterways in the presence of PS Sreedharan Pillai, Governor of Goa; Dr Pramod Sawant, Chief Minister, Government of Goa and other dignitaries.

The institute has been bestowed with the Certificate of Appreciation and Citation for its outstanding contributions toward the progress and development of agriculture, animal husbandry, fishery and food processing that has made a revolutionary change in the Goa.

Since the institute’s establishment in 1989, 17 varieties of the different crops like rice, cashew, brinjal, okra, cowpea and red amaranthus have been developed for Goa which are grown in the state. Besides, the native breeds of cattle – Shweta Kapila and Agonda Goan Pig have also been characterised and registered.

The institute has also helped the Government of Goa in getting the GI of agricultural products like Khola Chilli and Myndoli Banana.

The institute has been able to bring

Discussions were held on the integration of pisciculture and agriculture to make Goa a self-reliant state in the agriculture

The ICAR-Central Coastal Agricultural Research Institute, Goa has recently organised a National Symposium on ‘Self-Reliant Coastal Agriculture.’

The symposium has been organised in association with the Association for Coastal Agricultural Research as a part of the “Bharat Ka Amrut Mahotsav” to commemorate 75 Years of India’s Independence.

Chief Guest, Shripad Yesso Naik, Union Minister of State for Tourism, Shipyard and Waterways briefed about the various constraints to take-up agriculture in the coastal ecosystem. The opening-up of the new avenue by the agro-ecotourism to enhance the farmers’ income was emphasised by the minister.

The Guest of Honour, Nilesh Cabral, Minister of Environment, Legislative affairs, Law & Judiciary and Public Works Department, Government of Goa stressed on the need to revive the 5th Century old and traditional agriculture system of Goa through the eco-friendly methods of bund stabilisation, integration of pisciculture and agriculture to make Goa a self-reliant state in the agriculture.

The Guest of Honour, AK Mishra, Secretary (Agriculture, Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science), Government of Goa urged the participants to deliberate on the inherent challenges for the self-reliant agriculture and address the nutritional security of the coastal area.

The Guest of Honor, Mahesh Patil, Chairman, Goa State Pollution Control Board, Government of Goa opined that Khazan land has to be revived through an integrated farming approach and encourage the agro-ecotourism to improve the farmers’ income.

The Guest of Honour, Dr Suresh Kumar Chaudhari, Deputy Director General (Natural Resource Management), ICAR highlighted the significant contributions of the coastal agriculture despite, the complex and compounded problems in the coastal ecosystems. The importance of the high-density cashew plantations and harnessing the potential of the animal sector for doubling the coastal farmers’ income was underlined by the DDG.

Earlier, welcoming the dignitaries, Dr Parveen Kumar, Director, ICAR-CCARI, Goa outlined the scenario of the coastal agriculture and provided a gist about the different sessions and deliberations to be conducted during the symposium.

The dignitaries also felicitated Amai Mahalinga Naik for his innovation in water conservation and converting barren lands into green and fertile lands.

About 260 participants participated in the inaugural session of the symposium.

Discussions were held on the integration of

The report has covered 184 recognised indigenous/exotic & crossbred breeds of 19 selected species that are registered by the NBAGR

Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Parshottam Rupala released the Breed-Wise Report of Livestock and Poultry based on 20th Livestock Census on May 12, 2022. Dr L Murugan, Minister of State, for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, and Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, graced the occasion. Atul Chaturvedi, Secretary, Department of Animal Husbandry and Upamanyu Basu, JS were present.

The breed-wise data collection was done along with 20th Livestock Census during the year 2019. It was for the first time in the country that breed wise data was collected by using tablet computers instead of paper mode which is indeed a unique attempt. 

The major highlights of Breed-wise Report of Livestock and Poultry are summarised below:

  • The report has covered 184 recognised indigenous/exotic & crossbred breeds of 19 selected species that are registered by the NBAGR (National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources).
  • There are 41 recognised indigenous whereas 4 exotic/crossbred breeds of cattle covered in this report.
  • As per the report, the Exotic and Crossbred animal contribute nearly 26.5 per cent of the total cattle population whereas 73.5 per cent are Indigenous and Non-descript cattle.
  • Crossbred Jersey has the highest share with 49.3 per cent as compared to 39.3 per cent of Crossbred Holstein Friesian (HF) in total Exotic/Crossbred cattle.
  • ·       Gir, Lakhimi and Sahiwal breeds have major contribution in total Indigenous Cattle.
  • In Buffalo, the Murrah breed majorly contributes with 42.8 per cent which is commonly found in UP and Rajasthan.
  • In Sheep, there are 3 exotics and 26 indigenous breeds were found in the country. Among the pure exotic breeds, Corriedale breed majorly contributes with 17.3 per cent and in the indigenous breeds the Nellore breed contribute the highest in the category with 20.0 per cent share.
  • In Goats, there are 28 indigenous breeds found in the country. The Black Bengal breed contributes the highest with 18.6 per cent.
  • In exotic/crossbred pigs, crossbred pig contributes 86.6 per cent whereas Yorkshire contributes majorly with 8.4 per cent. In indigenous pigs, Doom breed major contributes with 3.9 per cent.
  • In Horse & Ponies, the share of Marwari breed majorly contributes with 9.8 per cent.
  • In Donkeys, the share of Spiti breed contributes with 8.3 per cent.
  • In Camel, Bikaneri breed majorly contributes with 29.6 per cent.
  • In Poultry, desi fowl, Aseel breed majorly contribute in both backyard poultry and commercial poultry farm.

The report has covered 184 recognised indigenous/exotic

Sanjeev Kumar Balyan, Minister of state for Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying emphasised the importance of adopting the advanced breeding technologies and its implementation at the ground level

Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying is organising awareness programme on entrepreneurship schemes and other beneficiary-oriented flagship programmes of the Department. It is being done through Common Service Centres network by holding 8000 village level camps across the country. The is being organised from April 25 to 28 April 2022. Each day one lakh farmers will be joining through Common Service Centres across the country. 

Sanjeev Kumar Balyan, Minister of state for Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying addressed the farmers connected recently through camps and informed that realigned National Livestock Mission (NLM) and Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM) schemes now have a component of breeder farm entrepreneurs and fodder entrepreneurs. One lakh farmer from Northern Eastern region states, Bihar, Odisha West Bengal participated, NLM will help in creating rural entrepreneurship and help in creating better livelihood opportunity for unemployed youth and livestock farmers in the cattle, dairy, poultry, sheep, goat, piggery, feed and fodder sector paving the way towards Atmanirbhar Bharat. 

Secretary (DoF & DAHD I/c), Jatindra Nath Swain briefed the farmers about Pradhan Mantri Mantsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) and Fisheries & Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF). He added that flagship schemes of Department of Fisheries can be availed by fishers and fish farmers from every corner of the country. He also mentioned that, in order to create the forward and backward linkage for the produce available at the unorganised sector and for connecting it with organised sector, these entrepreneurship schemes of the Ministry would help in development of entrepreneurship. 

Sanjeev Kumar Balyan, Minister of state for

The minister also released two manuals on export of value-added meat products and pork & pork products

The Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, Parshottam Rupala, to boost exports of value-added meat products has called on stakeholders to work towards creation of region-specific animal disease free zones in the country.

Rupala, while inaugurating the National Business Meet on promoting exports of value-added meat products organised by APEDA in New Delhi on March 25, 2022, said that even in case of single outbreak of disease amongst poultry bird, the entire country is referred as ‘disease affected’.

“All the stakeholders must take small steps and work to declare small regions- a few districts at a time, as disease free,” said Rupala, while referring to the model of Sikkim being declared as an organic state and its produce command a premium in the market.

The minister also released two manuals on export of value-added meat products and pork & pork products.

Rupala also recommended to the livestock industry to leverage the schemes of the Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Anima; Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund and the National Livestock Mission for setting up animal farms for their rearing in order to produce good quality meat and thereby quality value-added products.

Dr M Angamuthu, Chairman, APEDA, said, “India is the largest exporter of frozen and bovine meat while achieving significant growth in export of organic honey and fish produce.”

The minister also released two manuals on export

The book compiled by Sahjeevan andan “APEKSHA (Expectations) PATRA” was shared by a group of Maldharis from Saurashtra & Kutch

Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Parshottam Rupala has recently addressed the Saurashtra Maldhari Sammelan, organised by Sahjeevan (Centre for Pastoralism), at Upleta in Rajkot district of Gujarat. With the theme “Fostering Pastoralism in Saurashtra- Conservation and its Sustenance”, the Sammelan deliberated upon the conservation of threatened breeds of livestock, particularly the Halari breed of Donkey (breeding tract: Jamnagar and Devbhoomi Dwarka districts of Gujarat).

The Sammelan also deliberated upon constituting an advisory committee with participation of stakeholders for collaborative efforts; need for evolving programmes and schemes with dedicated infrastructure for breeding and health care; enhancing resilient livelihood strategises with a focus on the milk economy; optimising tenurial security of the Halari donkey breeders with access to seasonal grazing and CFR rights.

Parshottam Rupala released a book ‘Pastoral Breeds of India’, compiled by Sahjeevan andan “APEKSHA (Expectations) PATRA” was shared by a group of Maldharis from Saurashtra & Kutch at the event.

A sizable number of Community representatives from community institutions, officials from Ministry of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries, Government of India; officials from State Animal Husbandry department, Government of Gujarat; Scientists from National Research Centre for Equines (NRCE); leading resource persons & representatives from Civil Society organisations participated in the workshop.

Interacting with the Maldharis, particularly Halari Breeders, Kahami & Bhagri Breeders and Panchali Dumma Sheep Breeders, Union Minister Rupala said that The National Livestock Mission (NLM) been designed to cover all the activities required to ensure quantitative and qualitative improvement in livestock production systems and capacity building of all stakeholders.

The book compiled by Sahjeevan andan “APEKSHA (Expectations)

The applications for the National Startup Awards 2022 are open till March 15, 2022

The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) has launched the third edition of the National Startup Awards. The National Startup Awards 2022 will acknowledge startups and enablers who have been instrumental in revolutionising the development story of India.

The awards for startups will be given in 17 sectors classified into 50 sub-sectors. The 17 sectors are health and wellness, agriculture, animal husbandry, construction, drinking water, education and skill development, energy, enterprise technology, environment, FinTech, food processing, Industry 4.0, Media & Entertainment, Security, Space, transport and Travel. 

In addition, there are seven special categories of awards for startups: 

  • Women-led startups
  • Impact in rural areas
  • Campus startups
  • Manufacturing excellence
  • Innovation tackling the pandemic (preventive, diagnostic, therapeutic, monitoring, digital connect, work from home solutions, etc.)
  • Solution delivery or business operations in Indic languages
  • Startups from North-East (Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, and Tripura) and Hilly States/ Union Territories (Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jammu & Kashmir, and Ladakh)

The National Startup Awards 2022 will also reward exceptional incubators and accelerators as key building blocks of a robust startup ecosystem.

A cash prize of Rs 5 lakh will be awarded to each winning startup. The winners and runners-up will also be given opportunities to present their solutions to relevant public authorities and corporates for potential pilot projects and work orders and pitching opportunities with investors. They will also be given priority for participation in various national and international startup events.

A cash prize of Rs 15 lakh each will be awarded to one winning incubator and one winning accelerator.

The applications for the National Startup Awards 2022 are open till March 15, 2022. 

The applications for the National Startup Awards