The 15th Agriculture Leadership Awards Committee has announced that Maharastra has won the Best Agriculture State Award for 2024. The announcement was made by the 15th Agriculture Leadership Awards Committee, headed by Justice P Sathasivam, former Chief Justice of India and Governor of Kerala.
Innovative Agricultural Practices of Maharashtra
- Maharashtra has been chosen for this award for its innovative agricultural and rural initiatives.
- The award recognises the Maharashtra government’s innovative policies and high-impact developmental initiatives, which have led to the advancement of agricultural and rural prosperity in the state.
- The award acknowledged Maharashtra’s sustainable development policies focusing on environmental protection and food security.
- The Maharashtra government has launched the country’s largest bamboo mission covering 21 lakh hectares.
Agriculture Leadership Award
- The annual Agricultural Leadership Award was instituted by Agricultural Today magazine in 2008. The award honours the contributions of various stakeholders—government, individuals, and organisations—who have demonstrated exemplary leadership in agriculture.
- In the past, current Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, former Punjab Chief Minister Prakash Singh Badal, etc, have won the award.
Maharashtra
- Amongst the states in India, Maharashtra is the largest economy. The contribution of the Maharatsra to the country’s Gross Domestic Product is 12.92%. The state has a per capita income higher than the national average.
- Agriculture and allied activities account for around 12.1 per cent of the state’s gross state value added.