On Sunday, Farmers Group Association Parivartan Shetkari Gat from Amravati district won the first prize at the “Satyamev Jayate Farmer Cup” hosted by actor Aamir Khan led Paani Foundation.
For the implementation of the best agricultural practices, the group hailing from village Vathoda of Varod taluka received Rs 25 lakhs.
The Second prize was received by Chitra Nakshetra Mahila Shetkari Gat of Golegaon village, Khulabad taluka from Aurangabad, and received Rs 15 lakhs.
Consecutively, the third prize was won by Jai Yogesshwar Shetkari Gat of village Danger Budruk of Amalner taluka of Jalgaon and Unnati Shetkari Gat from the village Nandapur of Kalamnuri Taluka from Hingoli district.
Both received Rs 5 lakh each and 42 taluka-level winners won Rs 1 lakh each. The awards were distributed for agricultural methods, lowering the cost of cultivation, residue-free farming, and productivity improvisation.
Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra who was the chief guest at the award ceremony at Shiv Chhatrapati Shivaji Sports Complex in Belawadi said, “The work done by Paani Foundation led by Aamir Khan is praiseworthy and I am really touched by the unity exhibited by the farmers and the enthusiasm of the community for the cause. I would request to Paani Foundation to further level up the participation of the farmers as it would further lead to a complete progress of the farming community”.
Fadnavis highlighted how collectivization in agriculture can cope with climate change, inflation, and market uncertainties. He also recommended the farmer groups look beyond subsidies and focus on the creation of self-sustaining and profitable farmer-producer companies. Aamir said, “I thank Fadnavis for cheering us and will try our level best to take the extra mile and also salute all the participants for their commitment and passion towards the competition”.
Also, Padma Awardee Shantilal Muttha, Popatrao Pawar of Bhartiya Jain Sangathana, film director Ashutosh Gowarikar, actors Sunil Chavan and Atul Kulkarni attended the event.
