Organic India Private Limited ("Organic India"), in collaboration with the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival, honoured the top 5 organic farmers with Dharti Mitr Awards while celebrating the grandeur of Indian cinema and commemorating 75 years of independence (Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav).
Organic India established the Dharti Mitr awards in 2017 to recognise and promote organic farmers' accomplishments across the country, not just in growing crops without chemical inputs, but also in balancing the environment and developing unique self-sustaining models. The Dharti Mitr awards also give a venue for organic farmers from all across the country to share their innovations and learn from one another. Bharat Bhushan Tyagi, the recipient of the inaugural Dharti Mitr award in 2017, was awarded the Padma Shri, India's fourth highest civilian award, in 2019.
The winners of the Dharti Mitr awards 2021, which were presented by Bollywood actress Lara Dutta and Col. Tushar Joshi during the Dada Saheb Phalke International Film Festival, were Nathani Upendrbhai Dayabhai from Gujarat, who won the first prize of INR. 5 lakhs, Malleshappa Gulappa Bisirotti from Karnataka, who won the second prize of INR. 3 lakhs. 1 Lakhs each went to Devaraddi Agasanakoppa from Karnataka, Rawal Chand and Urmila Ur Rubi Pareek from Rajasthan.
Subrata Dutta, Group Managing Director, Organic India, spoke at the ceremony and expressed thanks for the farmers' tireless efforts, saying, "Our farmers play a critical role in the environment, economy, and society as a whole. The Dharti Mitr Awards were created to honour our interconnected relationship with individual farmers - a strategy that aims to build their confidence. The event's main goal is to recognise the farmer's extraordinary inventions in the field of organic farming."
William Nanda Bissell, Chairman of Fabindia, spoke on Organic India's efforts, saying, "The Dharti Mitr Awards were established four years ago by Organic India, and this year they have returned larger and brighter in collaboration with the renowned Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival (DPIFF). Organic farming is critical to India's long-term sustainability and environmental protection. Farmers' confidence will be bolstered as a result of Organic India's admiration and recognition, and the organic agricultural ecosystem in India will continue to grow. Organic India is a vital component of our attempts to build new growth standards based on ESG values."
Organic India is now working with over 2,200 farmers across the country to promote healthy lifestyles and conscious living via sustainable and regenerative organic agriculture, as well as to establish favourable economic, environmental, and social ecosystems. Organic India has been working hard in recent years to teach farmers and provide educational opportunities that would help them to become self-sufficient and pass on their knowledge to future generations.
Dr. Ashok Yadav, Advisor, Ministry of Agriculture, expressed his joy at the initiative, saying, "Organic farmers' excellent efforts were honoured at the occasion. We congratulate all of the winners and participants, who are the unsung heroes of the agricultural environment. We have seen an increase in participation and enthusiasm over the last four years of my association with Dharti Mitr, and we are looking forward to seeing more innovation in the segment, which will contribute to the global organic farming movement and help the world achieve the true meaning of sustainable development."
Organic India received over 100 nominations from farmers throughout the country, after which the judges went through a thorough screening procedure that included examining each application, as well as a farm visit and personal interview.
