Newbie farmer wins award for innovative agriculture technique

Pharmacist-turned-farmer Pravin Gattani has been awarded a Crystal National Agri Award for using innovative techniques in farming.

Gattani, who is based in Buldhana district, has developed the orchid forms of custard apples, mangoes and guavas. This is a mechanical equipment intensive method that does not require much water. He has been successful in not only making a livelihood but also earning a profit. He has trained the area's youths and also developed other projects, such as rainwater harvesting and bio-gas.

"He has become something of a role model for the youths in the area," said Pravin's brother Prashant, adding, "He decided to take a drastic step to shift from pharmacy, considering that we'd even opened a shop, but now he's done something not only for himself but for the entire community, and now, that's been recognised by the government."

Gattani received the award from Union agriculture minister Radha Mohan Singh and Union transport & rural development minister Nitin Gadkari in New Delhi.