Mr. Vilas Shinde, a resident of Adgaon in Nashik district, was presented with the Sakal Media Group’s most prestigious Agrowon Maharashtra’s Smart Farmer award by Mr. Popatrao Pawar, Executive President, Model Village Scheme at a function held at Balgandharva Rangmandir in Pune.

Mr. Shinde was awarded for the spectacular progress he made through personal farming, group farming and a farmer producers company. Agrowon Smart Farmer awards were presented in twelve different categories, five at a regional and seven at the state level.

Mr. Shinde along with the other members of his family, were facilitated with this award. Those present on the dais were Shri. Prataprao Pawar, Chairman, the Sakal Media Group; Mr. Shriram Pawar, Chief Editor; Mr. Adinath Chavan, Editor, Agrowon; Mr. Pramod Rajebhosale, General Manager; Mr. Vishwas Jogdand, Managing Director, Indian Green House; Mr. Vijayrao Patil, Associate Deputy Chairman, Deepak Fertilizers.

Mrs. Kusum Madan Gavhale, a resident of Sonala in Akola district, was presented with the Agrowon Inspiration award of Rs. 1 lakh by Mr. Prataprao Pawar.
Mr. Madan Gavhale, frustrated over his debts, had committed suicide on 15th February, 2006. Subsequently, Mrs. Kusum Gavhale faced the challenge of repayment of debts and responsibilities of family and farming.

Fearlessly, she continued the farming operations, undertook various experiments and repaid the debts. She also educated her children and helped them settle in their careers. She was presented with the award for her inspirational action.

Mr. Vilas Shinde, Maharashtra’s Smart Farmer; added his own money to his cash award of Rs. 2 lakh and announced a donation of Rs. 3.11 lakh for the drought relief works undertaken by the Sakal Relief Fund. He presented the cheque to Mr. Pratap Pawar.

Award Winners

• Agrowon Maharashtra’s Smart Farmer: Mr. Vilas Shinde (Adgaon, Nashik)
• Agrowon Inspiration award: Mrs. Kusum Gavhale (Sonala, Akola)
• Agrowon Maharashtra’s Smart Woman farmer: Mrs. Manisha Kunjir (Waghapur, Pune)
• Agrowon Smart Organic farming award: Mr. Kantilal Ranadive (Pargaon, Daund, Pune)
• Agrowon Smart Farmer friend award: Mr. Abhijit Phalke (Vardha and Pune)
• Agrowon Smart Agricultural entrepreneur award: Mr. Gaus Mohmmed Shaikh Amir (Parbhani)
• Agrowon Smart Agricultural-ancillary professional: Mr. Rohidas Doke (Bori Budruk, Junnar, Pune)
• Western Maharashtra’s Smart Farmer: Mr. Ankush Padwale (Khupsangi, Mangalwedha, Solapur)
• Vidarbha’s Smart Farmer: Mr. Jagannath Borkar (Wyad, Risod, Washim)
• Marathwada’s Smart Farmer: Mr. Uddhav Khedekar (Shiwani, Ner, Jalna)
• North Maharashtra’s Smart Farmer: Mr. Chaitram Pawar (Baripada, Sakri, Dhule)
• Konkan’s Smart Farmer: Mr. Sachin Churi (Kahim, Palghar)

“Last year, nearly 250 crores of litres of water was saved due to the works carried out by Tanishka Foundation. There is a need to unite and resolve the problem of shortage of water.” — Pratap Pawar, Chairman, Sakal Media Group

“Farmers should set aside their differences and work for the progress of agricultural sector. They should enjoy their life. They can take up community farming as well.” — Popatrao Pawar, Model Village Scheme’s Executive President