Sushila Gabel has come a long way in her 33 years in agriculture. She is the District President, Swarna Jayanti Gram Swarojgar Yojna & Ready to Eat Yojna, where she runs eight self-help groups comprising of 10-12 women each. She trains them in organic cultivation and food processing. She also sells vermi-compost to farmers and various other societies. With the help of K.V.K, Janjgir, she adopted SRI method of rice cultivation and use of bio pesticides in her farm.

• 124% growth in Rice output
• Reduction in cost of cultivation due to decrease in labour and weeding costs
• Increase in fertiliser use efficiency
• Increase in water use efficiency
• 10 farmers have followed her footsteps and benefited from it

She competed in Agri tech Krishi Mela organised by District Horticulture Department. Her efforts have also won her many accolades like the 'Harvest of Hope Award', presented by Department of Agriculture and Cooperation, Government of India; the 'Mahila Prathiba Samman', presented by Lions Club, Janjgir; and the 'Krishak Samriddhi Samman', presented by Chattisgarh Rajya Mahila Ayog Committee.

Mahindra Samriddhi India Agri Awards is proud to acknowledge the remarkable achievements of Smt. Sushila Gabel by awarding her the 'Krishi Prerna Samman 2013'.

Being brought up in a farmer family, Saroja's entire life has revolved around agriculture. Her work in the field makes her a worthwhile winner of the Krishi Prerna Samman 2013. Under the guidelines of R.G. Gollar (JDA), she used the SRI technique of cultivating rice, along with conserving Desi Paddy varieties for seed purpose. She has also practiced organic farming. As a result, she saw an increase of 400 kg/acre in her yields. Costs of cultivation dropped nearly 80% due to fall in labour and seed costs. The soil in her farm retained its fertility. She is also a recipient of the 'Environment Award for Organic Farming 2011', presented by State Chief Minister; the 'Krishi Pandit Award – 2008/09', presented by Agricultural Department, State Government; and the 'Krishi Jeevavaividya Award – 2010/11 (Cereals and Pulses division)', presented by State Government. Mahindra Samriddhi India Agri Awards is proud to acknowledge the remarkable achievements of Smt. Saroja N Patil by awarding her the 'Krishi Prerna Samman 2013'.

Mahindra Samriddhi India Agri Awards is proud to acknowledge the remarkable achievements of Smt. Jaya Devi by awarding her the 'KrishiPrernaSamman 2013'.

In her 20 years in agriculture, Jaya Devi has done enough for other women to look up to her. She has been at the center of setting up watershed management system in her village and encouraging community farming. She has also successfully experimented with hybrid seeds and the SRI technique of cultivating Paddy. As a result, Paddy yields in her village increased by 320 kg/acre. The cost of cultivation reduced significantly. She has been able to generate employment opportunities in her village. She has also been honoured with the 'Real Hero Award of India', presented by Reliance; the 'National Youth Award – 2008', presented by Ministry of Youth Affairs, Government of India. She has earned a prestigious fellowship at the Jamshedji Tata National Virtual Academy. Mahindra Samriddhi India Agri Awards is proud to acknowledge the remarkable achievements of Smt. Jaya Devi by awarding her the 'KrishiPrernaSamman 2013'.

Mahindra Samriddhi India Agri Awards is proud to acknowledge the remarkable achievements of Smt. Saroja N Patil by awarding her the 'Krishi Prerna Samman 2013'.

35 years in agriculture has helped Bhagwati Devi put her resources to the most productive use. She laid out a drip irrigation system in her Pomegranate orchard and developed a termite control technology using Eucalyptus wood. As a result, her output grew by 70%. The water she saved on growing Pomegranate was recycled for cultivating Wheat and other crops, leading to greater earnings coupled with savings on labour costs and time. Her article has featured in a publication on termite control, published by DFID. She has also won a host of accolades like the 'Termite Control Technology Award', presented by K.V.K, Fatehpur Sikri, Bikaner; the 'Innovation in Agriculture', presented by CITA, New Delhi; and the 'Farmer Scientist' honour, bestowed upon her by Agriculture Minister Shri. Sharad Pawar.

Mahindra Samriddhi India Agri Awards is proud to acknowledge the remarkable achievements of Smt. Bhagwati Devi by awarding her the 'Krishi Prerna Samman 2013'.

An MBA in International Agri Business Management, Nileshkumar Patel understands agriculture inside and out. He is currently working as Block Development Officer in Panchmahal district for Aatma project. He also runs his own schools to share his knowledge and innovations with farmers to benefit them. In a period of 5 years, he has already made a name for himself by innovating with the unusual mixed cropping pattern of Cotton and Watermelon and using silver black polythene mulch and drip irrigation system.

• Highly scalable technique in use
• 70% increase in yield of Cotton
• 42.8% increase in yield of Watermelon
• Soil retains its fertility for next season due to mulching
• Additional income from selling two products
• 14 farmers following his methods

Mahindra Samriddhi India Agri Awards is proud to acknowledge the remarkable achievements of Shri. Nileshkumar Patel by awarding him the 'Krishi Yuva Samman 2013'.

Bandana Kumari helped her community rise by using her agri-knowledge to their betterment. After successfully trying out pumps for winnowing her fields, she demonstrated to fellow farmers its benefits, and convinced them to adopt mechanisation for winnowing. More than 20,000 farmers took her advice and benefitted. As a result, she saw her yield goes up by 450 kg/acre. Her cultivation cost dropped drastically. Her crop grew at a much faster pace than before.

• Highly scalable technique in use
• 70% increase in yield of Cotton
• 42.8% increase in yield of Watermelon
• Soil retains its fertility for next season due to mulching
• Additional income from selling two products
• 14 farmers following his methods

Mahindra Samriddhi India Agri Awards is proud to acknowledge the remarkable achievements of Shri. Nileshkumar Patel by awarding him the 'Krishi Yuva Samman 2013'.

Mallapa Sabu Bidari has only been in agriculture for 4 years and the awards are already pouring in. He has been practicing organic farming and conserving water used for irrigation through mulching. He also grows green manure crops to plough them back into the soil. As a result, his farm output has risen by 10,000 kg/acre. Lesser spends on pesticides and synthetic fertilisers have helped the costs of cultivation reduce. He made an additional income of Rs 2000/acre owing to intercropping with Cowpea.

Mahindra Samriddhi India Agri Awards is proud to acknowledge the remarkable achievements of Shri. Mallappa Sabu Bidari by awarding him the 'Krishi Yuva Samman 2013'.

Shivraj Saini took the effort of trying something new after using traditional methods of cultivation for nearly a decade. He experimented with the method of ratooning in Lady Finger. As a result, he saw his output double from 52,500 kg/acre to 1,31,250 kg/acre. He was able to sell the crop throughout the year, which helped him earn more during off-season.

Mahindra Samriddhi India Agri Awards is proud to acknowledge the remarkable achievements of Shri. Shivraj Saini by awarding him the 'Krishi Yuva Samman 2013'.

Operational area of the institute: Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Uttranchal IFT – Bee keeping in eastern Rajasthan

Farmers in eastern Rajasthan were finding it difficult to remain profitable. There was less income generated from farming owing to high soil salinity, while fewer returns from small landholdings led to migration of youth and unemployment. Bee keeping acted as an alternate source of income for the farmers. This was aided by cultivation of salt tolerant mustard crop, the flowers of which serve as a source of nectar for bees.

• Training in the activity imparted to targeted villages
• Arrangements made for microfinance
• Apismellifera species of bee domesticated in wooden hives
• Flowers of Mustard, Berseem and Cucurbits used as source of nectar for bees
• Bee hives filled with honey, processed for collection of both honey and wax
• A minimum distance of 2 km maintained between each hive to prevent clash of honey bees
• Honey marketed under the name ‘Madhavi’

• 3290 small time bee keepers turned into entrepreneurs
• Increase in crop productivity owing to pollination by bees
• Reduced usage of water and fertilizer
• Yield of oilseeds, pulses, fruits, vegetables and fodder supplemented by this activity
• Total rise in honey production – 1222 metric tonnes

Mahindra Samriddhi India Agri Awards is proud to acknowledge the remarkable achievements of Lupin Human Welfare and Research Foundation, a division of Lupin Limited, Mumbai by awarding them the ‘Krishi Sahyog Samman 2013’.

IFT 1 – Electrification of Thalingi tribal village with biogas

This NGO set up two biogas plants in the village of Thalingi to convert biogas produced from organic matter into heat and electricity.

• 104 households electrified, 28 street lights set up
• Farm produce in the village increased by 15-25% due to use of organic fertilisers (bio digested slurry)
• Biogas cooking replacing kerosene as a cost effective option

IFT 2 – Wealth from waste through vermicomposting

They have also collected waste from different places to convert it into value added organic manure.

• Employment for 60 women who were selected for collecting waste
• Further employment generated in vermi compost units that were established to process waste
• Additional farm income
• Chemical fertilisers substituted with organic fertilisers

Mahindra Samriddhi India Agri Awards is proud to acknowledge the remarkable achievements of Non-Conventional Energy and Rural Development Society by awarding them the ‘Krishi Sahyog Samman 2013’.

A Division of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), KrishiBhavan, New Delhi.

IFT 1 – Development of Hybrid Rice

CRRI, Cuttack developed a hybrid variety of Rice called CRDhan 701 for shallow lowlands of eastern India and for commercialisation of hybrid seed production. This variety is a cross between CRMS 31A and CRL22R through heterosis breeding, utilising the CGMS type of male sterility (3-line system of hybrid breeding).

• First long duration hybrid developed in the country
• Adaptable to low light conditions prevalent in eastern India
• Yields up 3.5 times - from 1.8 t/ha. to 6.5 t/ha.
• High profitability for farmers – Rs 60,000 to Rs 80,000/ha.
• Rice tolerant to Blasts, BLB, Tungro and Sheath blight

IFT 2 –Development of rice variety for rain fed drought prone area

They also developed Sahbhagidan, a drought and blast tolerant, semi-tall, early duration variety of rice for cultivation in rain fed drought prone areas. This is a result of a cross between IR55419-04*2/ way Rarem and IR55419-04 (drought tolerant donor).

• Yields of 1.8 t/ha. in areas prone to crop failure by direct broadcasting of seeds
• Production potential of 3.5 t/ha in areas with severe conditions
• High head rice recovery, intermediate amylase content and medium gel consistency
• Short duration and stature that permits early harvest without weeding problem

Mahindra Samriddhi India Agri Awards is proud to acknowledge the remarkable achievements Central Rice Research Institute (CRRI), Cuttack, Orissa; a division of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), KrishiBhavan, New Delhi by awarding them the 'Krishi Sansthan Samman 2013'.

A Division of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), New Delhi.

IFT 1 – Development of Indegenous Aeroponics Technology.

CPRI, Shimla developed a modern technology called Indegenous Aeroponics Technology for Potato cultivation.

• 8 fold rise in production of minituber per plant
• Average profitability of Potato farmers up by 18% due to use of healthier seeds
• Freedom from soil borne diseases by avoiding exposure to unfavorable soil conditions

IFT 2 - Development of Kufri Gaurav – nutrient efficient variety

They also developed Kufri Gaurav, a nutrient use efficient variety of potatoes – high nutrient use efficiency of nitrogen: 10-24%, phosphorous: 12-23% and potassium: 16-26%.

• 8.2% increase in yield over other such varieties
• Economy in terms of fertiliser has led to a saving of Rs 3100/acre
• Ground water pollution reduced due to nitrate and potassium leaching

Mahindra Samriddhi India Agri Awards is proud to acknowledge the remarkable achievements Central Potato Research Institute (CPRI), Shimla, Himachal Pradesh; a division of Indian Council of Agriculture Research, New Delhi by awarding them the 'Krishi Sansthan Samman 2013'.

A Division of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Krishi Bhavan, New Delhi.

IFT 1 – rain fed skip row method of cultivating Groundnut

UAS, Dharwad helped make the life of Groundnut farmers easy. They developed Rain fed, skip row method for cultivating Groundnut as well as broad bed method of cultivating the same during Rabi season.

• Excess soil moisture due to incessant rains
• Soil facing moisture stress due to dry spells
• Cultivars TMV2 & JL 24 are highly susceptible to foliar diseases
• Cultivar JL 24 is highly susceptible to Late Leaf Spot and Rust diseases

• Cultivar GPBD 4 producing 25-30% higher yield per pod
• This method helps save on seeds and other material used for cultivation, hence reducing cost
• Broad bed and furrows method used during Rabi season averages a higher yield (from 3750 kg/ha. to 5200kg/ha.) as compared to flatbed method (from 2500kg/ha to 3000kg/ha.)
• Soil does not get compacted

IFT 2 – UAS Dharwad also developed a hybrid variety of sugarcane called SNK 632, along with eco-friendly management of Root Grub and Wooly Aphid.

• Cost effective technology
• Sugarcane yields up by 29%
• Crop can be grown in less fertile soil
• Higher moisture stress tolerance
• Better quality, sweeter Jaggery produced from this Sugarcane
• Jaggery output up by 11.7%
• Income of Sugarcane producers up by ₹ 92,000

Mahindra Samriddhi India Agri Awards is proud to acknowledge the remarkable achievements of UAS, Dharwad by awarding them the ‘Krishi Shiksha Samman 2013’

• Anubhav Liquid Fertiliser PGPB Consortium
• Anubhav Liquid Fertiliser PGPB Metabolite

As a result of applying Anubhav Liquid Fertilizer PGPB Consortium to the seed and soil at the time of sowing, and foliar spray of Anubhav Liquid Fertilizer PGPB Metabolite at 45DAS/ DATP, the shelf life of cereals have shown an increase. This resulted in a 25% drop in the cost of cultivation.

Mahindra Samriddhi India Agri Awards is proud to acknowledge the remarkable achievements of Anand Agricultural University, Vadodara by awarding them the ‘Krishi Shiksha Samman 2013’.

IFT 1 – Application of botanical pesticide in paddy

Kalyan Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Purulia applied botanical pesticide, Parasi, on standing Paddy crop and achieved remarkable success.

• Rise in yields by 600 kg/ acre
• Cost of cultivation down to Rs 15900/ acre from Rs 16000/acre
• Improved soil texture
• Sustainable method of controlling pests

IFT 2 - Refined land preparation practice for moisture conservation in Sugarcane

It has also helped sugarcane farmers with land preparation practices so they could conserve soil moisture.

• After harvesting of Sugarcane, Green Gram was sown at the onset of monsoon
• Pods were harvested in the months of August and September, leaving the entire plant residue to increase soil’s organic content
• From September onwards farmers were asked to plough their lands by opening furrows in the afternoon and leaving them overnight to store dew. And to ladder their lands in the morning
• As soil is clay in nature, ploughing and laddering help increase its moisture content

• 10,000 kg/ acre increase in produce
• Additional family income of Rs 30,000/ ha

Mahindra Samriddhi India Agri Awards is proud to acknowledge the remarkable achievements Kalyan Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Purulia, West Bengal; a division of Ramkrishna Mission Lokasikha Parishad, Kolkata by awarding them the ‘KrishiVigyan Kendra Samman 2013’.

IFT 1 – Direct seeding of Rice with drum seeder

• 12% more produce - from 6188 kg/ha. to 6820 kg/ha
• Cost of cultivation down by Rs 9000/ acre due to savings on labour cost and fuel
• Increase in net returns by Rs 15,000/ ha

IFT 2 – Mechanisation in Groundnut

They also tried mechanisation in Groundnut – sowing seeds with a tractor drawn seed drill and harvesting with a tractor drawn Groundnut digger.

• 7.23% and 9.68% more yield in Kharif and Rabi seasons respectively
• Cost of cultivation reduced to Rs 3000/ acre from Rs 5750/ acre
• Amount of time taken to complete the work was three times lesser

Mahindra Samriddhi India Agri Awards is proud to acknowledge the remarkable RASS - Acharya Ranga Krishi Vigyan Kendra; a division of Rashtriya Seva Samithi by awarding them the ‘Krishi Vigyan Kendra Samman 2013’.

Dr. R. S. Paroda is the most decorated personality to be honoured at the Mahindra Samriddhi India Agri Awards 2013. Over the years, he has put in his heart and soul into strengthening the national agricultural research system in India, Central Asia and the Caucasus. And in helping establish the Asia Pacific Seed Association and the Asia Pacific Association of Agricultural Research Institutions. He was instrumental in setting up three of the largest and most modern national gene banks in the world.

In the past, he held several important positions like Chairman, Governing Board of the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT); Member, Policy Advisory Council of the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR); Secretary, Government of India in the Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE); and Director General, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).

Under his leadership the ICAR and DARE have attained new heights through infrastructure expansion and long-term programme and policy formulation. He has also chaired the Global Forum on Agricultural Research from 1998 to 2001. And had a global role in the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research that contributed immensely to the prosperity of farmers and the development of agriculture.

He has received numerous awards for his unparalleled contributions to agriculture – the ‘Padma Bhushan’ presented by President of India; ‘Outstanding Research Partner’ award, presented by ICRISAT; and the ‘Norman E. Borlaug’ award.

Mahindra Samriddhi India Agri Awards is proud to acknowledge the remarkable achievements of Dr. R.S. Paroda by awarding him the ‘Krishi Shiromani Samman 2013’.