7 farmers, including 1 from U’khand, presented award by Shivraj Singh Chouhan

PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/ Haldwani

Recognising grassroots agricultural innovation, Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) felicitated seven progressive farmers from across the country with ‘Kisan Adhyeta Award’ during the annual Pusa Krishi Vigyan Mela in New Delhi.  The awardees include Narendra Singh Mehra from Uttarakhand. Presenting the awards, the Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that farmers are the backbone of the nation. “Farmers are not just food providers; they are nation builders. India is poised to emerge as a global leader in agriculture and the credit goes to our farmers and agricultural scientists,” he said.

Senior officials of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) were present. 

The award, conferred annually upon five to seven outstanding innovators in the farming community, celebrates excellence in sustainable practices, technological adaptation and farmer-led research.

This year’s awardees include Narendra Singh Mehra from Uttarakhand; Jaipal Reddy from Telangana; Gena Bhai Patel from Gujarat; Binita Kumari from Bihar; Gurvinder Singh Sohi from Punjab and Bandaru Srinivasa Rao and Venkateswara Rao Yadalapalli from Andhra Pradesh.

Among the awardees, Mehra has emerged as a notable figure in natural farming and grassroots innovation. Since November 2025, he has received five national-level honours. With this recognition, he became the first farmer in the country to receive a national award from the Union Agriculture Minister on three separate occasions in New Delhi.

Mehra’s dedication to natural farming techniques and continuous experimentation has earned him national acclaim after a rigorous selection process, said those associated with the selection of the awardees.

The vice-chancellor of GB Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Manmohan Singh Chauhan congratulated Mehara on his achievement.