To celebrate the work of organic farmers in India, Organic India Private Limited (Organic India), in association with the Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival organised the Dharti Mitr Awards, started in 2017, to felicitate the top 5 organic farmers of India.
The Dharti Mitr Awards was instituted to recognise the determined actions of farmers to avoid using chemical inputs in the cultivation of crops and developing the organic agriculture sector. The Dharti Mitr Awards also provides a platform for organic farmers in the country to share their innovation and cross populate their learnings. The winner of the first Dharti Mitr award 2017, was bestowed with the Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian award in India in 2019.
Gratitude and Reverence For The Unsung Heroes
Bollywood actress Lara Dutta and Col. Tushar Joshi were the ones to present the awards to the deserving farmers from various states in India; Nathani Upendrbhai Dayabhai from Gujarat, Malleshappa Gulappa Bisirotti and Devaraddi Agasanakoppa from Karnataka, Rawal Chand and Urmila Ur Rubi Pareek from Rajasthan received the awards and lump-sum amounts of money. “Our farmers play a very crucial role for the ecology, economy, and the society at large. We conceptualised the Dharti Mitr Awards to celebrate our relationship with individual farmers that are built on interconnectedness – an approach that seeks to boost their confidence and the core objective of the event is to highlight the farmer’s exceptional innovations in the field of organic farming”, said Subrata Dutta, Group Managing Director, Organic India said while talking about their motive to start the Awards as well as expressing his gratitude towards the farmers.
William Nanda Bissel, Chairman of Fabindia said “Organic India instituted the Dharti Mitr Awards four years ago and this year it has returned bigger and brighter in collaboration with the prestigious DPIFF. Organic farming plays an important role in the sustainable and environment-friendly growth in India. This appreciation and recognition by Organic India will strengthen the confidence of farmers and further build the organic farming ecosystem in India. Organic India is a very critical part of our efforts to establish new benchmarks for growth driven by ESG values.”
The Indian farmers have shown the enthusiasm needed and Organic India received over 100 nominations from farmers across the country, post which a rigorous screening process involving reviewing each entry followed by a farm visit and personal interview were undertaken by the jury.
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