BANGALORE: Renowned leader of the farmers and protagonist against globalisation and liberalisation the late Professor M D Nanjunda Swamy was bestowed upon with Krishi Rathna Award for his contribution towards the welfare of the farmers by Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda here on Thursday.
The award which included a cash prize of Rs10 lakh was handed over to Prof M D Nanjunda Swamy Foundation. Chukki and Pache, daughter and son of the legendary peasant leader received the award.
Speaking after presenting the award Gowda recalled Swamy’s contribution towards the Indian agriculture sector and farmers.
Apart from presenting the state level Krishi Rathna Award, Gowda gave Krishi Prashasthi Awards for the year 2010-11 to 15 progressive farmers in a function organised at the banquet hall of the Vidhana Soudha. The cash prize of Rs 2.75 lakh included Rs 30000 as first prize, Rs 15000 to second prize and Rs 14000 as the third prize.
The award was given to those who harvested highest yields crops like maize, groundnut, wheat and sugarcane in one hectre of irrigated or rain fed land.
Babural Mallappa Jadhav from Katnuru in Dharwad district bagged the first prize under the maize category while Muralidhara Mallara Kulkarni from Hulaguru won it for rain fed ground nut production.
Jagadish Kadagi Teradala from Bhagalkot won the first prize for irrigated wheat production while Basantraya Babanna from Chincholi bagged it for producing rain fed bengalgram.
To promote scientific approaches like the use of water and organic farming among others, the government gave Krishi Prashasthi Award to 102 farmers.