Mumbai: News18 Lokmat remains dedicated to empowering and amplifying the voices of farmers, providing them with a platform to showcase their achievements and address the challenges they face. Owing to this, News18 Lokmat hosted the prestigious Krishi Ratna Awards on 25 June in Pune, honouring  ten exemplary farmers from across the state.

The Krishi Ratna Awards aimed to recognize the invaluable contributions of farmers in Maharashtra who have demonstrated exceptional skills, innovation, and dedication towards the agriculture sector. The event was a grand celebration of their accomplishments and a platform to spark meaningful conversations on  the challenges and opportunities within the agricultural landscape of Maharashtra.

The highlight of the event was a thought-provoking panel discussion on the present challenges faced by the agriculture sector in Maharashtra and the potential avenues for growth in the coming years. Distinguished experts, policymakers, and industry leaders participated in this engaging discourse, sharing their insights and ideas for promoting sustainable agricultural growth in the state.  The awardees of the News18 Lokmat Krishi Ratna Awards are - Balasaheb Patil, Uday Joshi, Smt. Vijaya Gule, Amar Khamkar, Dilip Kamle, Sachir Karekar, Ganesh Chaudhari, Gulab and Manjusha Pavde, Vishnupant Hingne, and Bapu Jadhav.

Revenue minister of Maharashtra, Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, felicitated the awardees during the ceremony. In his address, he praised their commitment and emphasised the crucial role of farmers in shaping the state's economy.