The GFN is pleased to share this release from the Trustees of the Trust for Advancement of Agricultural Sciences (TAAS), announcing the recipient of the Dr. Norman E. Borlaug Innovative Farmer Award.
Dr Norman E. Borlaug Innovative Farmer Award for 2024
Shri Chandrashekhar Bhadsavle
Global Farmer Network member Shri Chandrashekhar Bhadsavle will be conferred with the first Dr. Norman E. Borlaug Innovative Farmer Award for 2024. He is a visionary in sustainable agriculture and led to the development of the Saguna Regenerative Technique (SRT), a zero-till conservation agriculture method that improves soil health, reduces labour, and boosts productivity in crops like rice, wheat, pulses, maize, oilseeds and fruit crops.
By adopting this technique, farmers have gained happiness and confidence, with SRT now implemented across thousands of farms transforming traditional agricultural practices in India. This approach has empowered farmers by providing a dignified, resilient livelihood while promoting environmental sustainability.
He created the Saguna Vansanvardhan Technique (SVT) to combat soil erosion and deforestation by using vetiver grass. He also developed the Saguna Jalsanvardhan Technique (SJT) to rehabilitate water bodies, promoting sustainable water resource management by removing invasive weeds, introducing beneficial flora and fauna including microbes, fish, and lotus, and supporting aquatic biodiversity.
Shri Bhadsavle is celebrated as the "Father of Agro-Tourism in India." In the 1980s, he pioneered Krishi Paryatan, or agro-tourism, offering urban residents an immersive rural experience while providing farmers with additional income. His success in establishing Saguna Baug as an ideal model of agro-tourism, along with his extensive writings on the subject, has generated national interest and inspired many farmers to adopt this practice.
He is recipient of several awards including the Farmer Leadership Award from Agriculture Today (2024), Krishi Ratna by the Government of Maharashtra (2019), the Jagjivan Ram Kisan Puraskar by ICAR, the Earth Care Award by JSW and Times of India, and the WatSave Farmer Award by ICID, Thailand, among others. Additionally, his influence extends globally through TEDx talks, international lectures, and collaborations with organizations like the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)), and the Global Farmer Network (GFN) promoting regenerative agriculture worldwide. Through his ground-breaking methods-SRT, SVT, SJT, and Agro-tourism- he has revolutionized Indian agriculture. His work exemplifies the integration of innovation, environmental care, and respect for the farming profession, establishing a legacy of sustainable practices that safeguard both rural livelihoods and the natural world.
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