Belagavi District Emerges as Top Performer in Karnataka Agriculture Awards
In a significant recognition of agricultural excellence, fourteen distinguished achievers from Belagavi district have been honored with prestigious state agriculture awards this year. The ceremony, held during the recent International Trade Fair in Bengaluru, saw Chief Minister Siddaramaiah personally presenting the awards to these outstanding contributors to the farming sector.
Record-Breaking District Achievement
With fourteen award recipients, Belagavi district has secured the highest number of honors among all districts in Karnataka, establishing itself as a leader in agricultural innovation and productivity. This remarkable achievement highlights the district's commitment to advancing farming practices and supporting agricultural development across the region.
Comprehensive Award Recipient List
The award distribution spanned multiple agricultural years, recognizing sustained excellence across different time periods. For the 2024-25 agricultural year, eleven farmers received awards: Siddaram Kallappa Nadatti of Kabbur, Suganda Appayya Gudimani of Jodakurali, Mayavva Pujeri, Anandrao Belagali of Belagali, Sadashiva Bhatmare of Kerur, Jayashree Patil of Jainapur, Sangavva Tallur of Naganur, Laxmi Humbi of Avaradi, Siddappa Ullegaddi of Chikkanandihalli, Basamma Lagamannavara of Kotabagi, and Suresh Mageri of Kadatana Bagewadi.
For previous agricultural years, three women farmers were recognized: Aarti Patil of Chandaragi in Ramdurg taluk received the 2022-23 award, while Gangavva Talawar of Ghastolli in Khanapur taluk and Rajshri Mukati of Hiremunavalli in Khanapur taluk were honored with the 2023-24 awards.
Rigorous Selection Process and Competition Framework
The agricultural awards program is designed to identify and encourage exceptional farmers through a structured competition system. The government organizes competitions at three administrative levels:
- State-level competitions
- District-level competitions
- Taluk-level competitions
In Belagavi district, the competition focused on three primary crops: maize, soya bean, and paddy. For each crop category, three awards are distributed annually to recognize outstanding achievements in agricultural production.
Substantial Recognition and Rewards
The state-level winners received significant financial rewards alongside formal recognition:
- First Prize: ₹50,000 cash award
- Second Prize: ₹40,000 cash award
- Third Prize: ₹35,000 cash award
All award recipients also received official certificates and commemorative award plaques, providing both financial support and prestigious acknowledgment of their agricultural accomplishments.
Official Perspective on Agricultural Excellence
HD Kolekar, Joint Director of Agriculture for Belagavi district, emphasized the significance of these achievements. "Farmers in our district are demonstrating remarkable success through various agricultural experiments and innovations," he stated. "Their efforts are resulting in substantially higher yields, and the selection of fourteen award recipients from Belagavi reflects this exceptional performance. This recognition brings pride to our entire farming community and establishes Belagavi as the leading district for agricultural awards in Karnataka."
The agricultural awards program directly addresses the government's objective of boosting agricultural production across the state. By recognizing hard work, innovation, and active participation in farming practices, these awards serve as powerful incentives for continued excellence in the agricultural sector.
