Gujarat Receives National Award For Excellence In Horticulture
Gujarat recognised for achievements in horticulture development.
Gujarat has received the ‘Agriculture Leadership Award 2026’ for excellence in the horticulture sector at the 17th Agriculture Leadership Conclave held in New Delhi. The national recognition highlights the state’s initiatives, innovations and performance in promoting horticulture-based agricultural development.
The award was presented by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in the presence of Rajasthan Governor Haribhau Kisanrao Bagde. Gujarat Agriculture Minister Jitu Vaghani accepted the honour on behalf of the state government. The recognition was given for the state’s contributions towards strengthening the horticulture sector and supporting farmers through various agricultural programmes.
The Agriculture Leadership Awards were established in 2008 by the Agriculture Today Group following the guidance of renowned agricultural scientist Dr M. S. Swaminathan. The awards aim to recognise achievements in agriculture and encourage collaboration among policymakers, scientists and farmers. According to organisers, the awards are evaluated by a jury headed by former Chief Justice of India Justice P. Sathasivam.
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After receiving the award, Vaghani said the honour reflected the efforts of Gujarat’s farmers, agricultural officials and the state government. He dedicated the recognition to the lakhs of farmers associated with the horticulture sector and credited their hard work for the state’s achievements in agriculture.
Vaghani highlighted Gujarat’s earlier achievements in the agricultural sector, including receiving the Agriculture Leadership Award as the “Best Agriculture State” in 2009 and 2014. He said initiatives such as Krishi Mahotsav, Soil Health Cards and drip irrigation introduced during that period contributed to agricultural growth, with the state recording a growth rate of 9.9 per cent during the Tenth Five-Year Plan.
The latest award marks Gujarat’s first Agriculture Leadership Award specifically for horticulture in seven years. Officials said senior dignitaries, including Rajnath Singh, Rajasthan Governor Haribhau Kisanrao Bagde, Uttar Pradesh Agriculture Minister Surya Pratap Shahi and former Chief Justice of India Justice P. Sathasivam, congratulated Gujarat’s farmers and government for the achievement and praised the state’s agricultural policies.
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