A decade ago, his village languished in perpetual poverty with the per capita income at Rs832. Today, it’s the richest in the state with a per capita income of Rs28,000
NAGPUR: A decade ago, his village languished in perpetual poverty with the per capita income at Rs832. Today, it’s the richest in the state with a per capita income of Rs28,000, and a model that the World Water Forum is thinking of replicating to curb poverty.
So when 45-year-old Popatrao Pawar, the sarpanch of Hiwre Bazar in Ahmednagar district, known internationally as a great motivator, received the 2007 Krishi Ratna award, the state’s highest medallion to those rendering services in rural and farm sector, on Monday, one message was loud and clear from his villagers — “Come to our village and see for yourselves. Together we can do it!”
It’s just another award for Popatrao - who played first-class cricket but chose to go back to his village’s barren fields. “It’s important to work in areas like Vidarbha and do our best,” he told DNA after receiving the award on behalf of his village at Dr Vasantrao Deshpande hall, in Nagpur by the Governor, Dr SC Jamir.
Chief minister Vilasrao Deshmukh and agriculture minister Balasaheb Thorat were present at the event that was attended by hundreds of farmers from across the state.
The government confers Krishi Ratna, Krishi Bhushan, Udyan Pandit, Jeejamata Krishi Bhushan and Sheti-Mitra awards every year.
Interestingly, the state government gave cash awards this time after being hit by the gold medal-scam.
Paddy grower-innovator Dadaji Khobragade, from Chandrapur district, had complained last year that the medal given to him under Krishi Bhushan award was not gold but poor quality metal. The government had recalled the 19 medals and rectified its mistake. Dadaji was compensated with a cheque of Rs 37,000, last Friday.
Government officials told DNA on Monday that cash would be awarded instead of medals from now on.
The award ceremony saw Maharashtra’s top rural innovators and best-practice originators in agriculture and horticulture sectors make a statement - There is a way out of the farm crisis and problems.
“We have to shed divisive politics if our village is to strive ahead,” Popatrao said. “The leadership has to have vision, but there are things that the villagers can do themselves. We did not wait for any government aid even in our toughest times, we still don’t.”
The Krishi Ratna award for 2006 was given to Sopan Kanchan of Urli-Kanchan tehsil in Pune district. He united the grape growers under the banner of ‘Maha-grapes’ and promoted micro-irrigation in western Maharashtra’s shadow zone.
Applauding the recipients, the governor suggested the state to form their club and facilitate their interaction with other farmers.
h_jaideep@dnaindia.net
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