RAIPUR,CG: Vedeshwari (Bindu) Sharma, a woman farmer of Bastar region in Chhattisgarh received ‘Life Time Achievement Award’ for promoting organic farming in the International Fair on Agriculture and Horticulture at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi.

Five farmers of Chhattisgarh for their innovative and excellent work in the field of horticulture have also been honoured.

Agriculture Minister Ramvichar Netam congratulated and congratulated the farmers of the state including forest areas in the field of horticulture on getting awards in the international fair.  

Horticulture Department officials said Vedeshwari (Bindu) Sharma, a woman farmer who inspired 1,000 women farmers to become self-reliant and promoted organic farming in the tribal dominated area of remote region of Bastar. She was given the Life Time Achievement Award in the expo.

The officials added that she has also received the title of ‘Organic Woman of Bastar’. Under her 1,000 women farmers of village Kokodi and nearby villages of Kondagaon district have been earning more income for the last 6 years by adopting organic farming.  Sharma is also carrying out organic farming in 5 acres of land. She had received several awards at the state and national level.

Farmer Yadunandan Prasad Verma of village Malhar in Bilaspur district was awarded a certificate for organic farming of banana, vegetables in an area of 2.5 acres for the last 5-6 years.

Farmer Lokesh Balkrishna Patade of Jairam Nagar district-Bilaspur, working in the cultivation of geranium and promoting its cultivation in the state, was honored with a citation for technical innovation.

Under the skilled guidance and tireless efforts of farmer Jaswant Kumar Sahu of Jai Kisan Nursery, Village Bamhani Charpara, District Rajnandgaon, was awarded a citation for preparing grafted vegetable seedlings and for making innovations in the field of horticulture. Ankita Verma, District-Raipur, a female farmer who has made her name in flower farming, was awarded a certificate of appreciation for the excellent cultivation of roses in the green house.

The stall of Chhattisgarh Horticulture was also honored with an award in the category of “Promotion of Best Horticulture and Farm Forestry Practices”.