Chief Minister Mr. Shinde said, Maharashtra is the growth engine of the country’s development. The state has a major share in the country’s GDP. The state is leading in the country in terms of employment , foreign direct investment , development. The state is also leading in agricultural development. Many welfare schemes are being implemented for farmers. Maharashtra is the first state in the country to provide crop insurance at Rs 1 . In Namo Shetkari Samman Yojana, apart from the central government’s contribution of 6 thousand rupees, the state government gives 6 thousand rupees, the farmers are getting 12 thousand rupees a year. The aim is to provide 5 lakh solar agricultural pumps in the next two years . It also aims to bring 17 lakh hectares of land under irrigation. We are trying to provide round-the-clock power supply to agriculture. There has been a substantial increase in the assistance given to farmers in case of natural calamities. The assistance is twice as much as the NDRF norms. The limit of 2 hectares has been increased to 3 hectares. PM Narendra Modi has set the goal of making the country’s economy 5 trillion and Maharashtra will contribute substantially by creating a 1 trillion economy. Environment protection , development and sustainable development of agriculture requires the cooperation of all. Along with industry and other sectors, agriculture and farmers also contributed significantly in this initiative.

Chief Minister Mr. Eknath Shinde added, He accepts this award on behalf of the farmers of the state and dedicates this award to all the farmers of the state. Food safety is important in today’s times. Farmers do the important work of feeding people. That is why it is called food giver. Farmers and agriculture are important. Farmers are the most affected by climate change and temperature rise. That is why there is a need to reduce the global warming and for this the state government has established the Environmental Action Committee. A target of 21 lakh hectares of bamboo cultivation has been set in the state. Farmers have to face natural calamities like floods , heavy rains , droughts. 125 irrigation schemes have been approved. Farmers are also accepting new changes. The government stands firmly behind the farmers.

On the occasion, the Governor said that despite numerous challenges like drought , water scarcity , floods and climate change , Maharashtra has shown its strength and adaptability. We have equipped farmers with advanced seeds , fertilizers and modern farm implements, as well as training in innovative practices such as micro-irrigation

William Dar, Vice President of World Agriculture Forum, gave information about the nature of the award and the selection process. M.J. Khan, National Director of the World Council of Agriculture, expressed his thanks.