On the occasion of the fourth anniversary of Rural Voice and Farmers' Day, the "Rural Voice Agriculture Conclave and NACOF Awards 2024" was organized at the India Habitat Center, New Delhi, on December 23. The theme of the event was Building Institutions for Farmers. During the conclave, a farmer, a cooperative institution, a social institution, and a public institution excelling in agriculture and rural development were honoured. Uttarakhand's Education, Health, and Cooperative Minister Dr. Dhan Singh Rawat presented the awards.
In the farmer category, progressive farmer Umesh Kumar from Bhainswal village of Shamli district, Uttar Pradesh, was honoured. Uttarakhand Co-operative Resham Federation Limited received recognition for its outstanding work in the cooperative sector. The National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) was awarded in the public institution category, and the Sulabh International School of Action Sociology and Sociology of Sanitation (SISASSS) was honoured in the social institution category.
The event was graced by eminent personalities including former MP KC Tyagi, Sahakar Bharati's Chief Patron Dr. DN Thakur, IFFCO's Director (Marketing) Yogendra Kumar, NACOF's Chairman Ram Iqbal Singh, and Rural Voice's Editor-in-Chief Harvir Singh.
Umesh Kumar Honored in the Farmer Category
Umesh Kumar, a farmer from Bhainswal village in Shamli district, has made significant contributions to modern farming. He pioneered chemical fertilizer-free organic farming and achieved production levels comparable to conventional methods. With support from the Uttar Pradesh government, he visited Maharashtra to learn trench farming of sugarcane, becoming the first farmer to implement it in Shamli. He also motivated other farmers in the district to adopt sugarcane trench farming.
A member of Shamli District Panchayat Board, Umesh practices organic farming of sugarcane, paddy, wheat, mustard, gram, fruits, and vegetables. Addressing the growing issue of stubble burning, he mulches sugarcane and paddy stubble directly into the fields. He has adopted vermicompost and drip irrigation to reduce chemical fertilizer use and conserve water.
Uttarakhand Cooperative Resham Federation Limited Honored in the Cooperative Category
The Uttarakhand Cooperative Resham Federation Limited was recognized for its innovation in cooperation, value chain integration, and a successful business model. The award was received by federation's Managing Director, Anand Shukla.
After Uttarakhand was formed, the Silk Department faced challenges in providing marketing and pricing support to raw silk producers. To address these, the federation was established in 2002. A revolving fund of ₹2 crore was created with support from the Central Silk Board and the state government, enabling prompt payment to silkworm rearers. The federation annually recommends a minimum support price for silk, works across the silk value chain and has initiated a "farm-to-fashion" concept. Its efforts currently support about 6,000 silkworm rearers and 210 weavers.
NCDC Honored in the Public Institution Category
The National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) received the public institution category award. The award was accepted by Deputy Managing Director Rohit Gupta and Chief Director (Communications) Colonel Himanshu.
Established in 1963, NCDC has significantly contributed to strengthening the cooperative sector in India. It provides project financing for agricultural product production, processing, marketing, storage, and import-export. NCDC also funds primary and secondary-level cooperative societies through loans and grants to state governments. With 18 regional and state-level directorates, it has expanded its project financing to rural and industrial cooperative sectors.
Sulabh International School Honored in the Social Institution Category
The Sulabh International School of Action Sociology and Sociology of Sanitation (SISASSS) was awarded in the social institution category. Its president, Kumar Dilip, received the award.
Founded in 1993 by renowned social worker Dr. Bindeshwar Pathak, Sulabh International School has used sociology as a medium for social change. It has empowered marginalized communities, focusing on food sovereignty and sustainable farming. In Maharashtra, its initiatives have empowered over 2,500 women to manage their food systems, produce indigenous seeds, establish seed banks, and create value-added millet products. These efforts have also been replicated in Darbhanga and Madhubani districts of Bihar.