Maharashtra’s land is prosperous and the agricultural land is very fertile. In Maharashtra, Marathwada and some other regions are unfortunately facing severe drought. There is an urgent need to effectively manage the water resources there and Jain Irrigation which is a world leader in micro-irrigation and drip irrigation should take a lead by effectively expanding their role, the Governor of Maharashtra C. Vidyasagar Rao appealed.
Cine Actor Dhiraj Kumar, Members of Prasar Bharati Board Anup Jalota, Sunil Alagh, filmstar Juhi Chawla, Siddartha Kak, Kiran Shantaram, singer Udit Narayan, Additional Director General Mukesh Sharma and Shivaji Phulsundarwere also present on the occasion where Jain Irrigation MD Anil Jain was handed over the Ratnavaibhav Award. This ceremony was held at Ravindra Natya Mandir in Mumbai on May 12.
Maharashtra Governor C. Vidyasagar Rao praised the contribution of Jain Irrigation Systems Ltd for the sustainable development of the agriculture and for the upliftment of the small farmer along with the Government and agricultural universities. He added that there are several young scientists in agriculture looking for the direction in the agriculture and Jain Irrigation should encourage them to participate in the sustainable agriculture. Dr Vijaya Rajadhyaksha (literature), musicians Ajay-Atul (Music), Ramdas Kamat (drama), Nana Patekar (films), Dr Vijaya Wad (Education), journalist Radhakrishna Narvekar (journalism) and Vijay Phalnikar (Social Service) were the other Navratna awardees.
Felicitation of Parent’s Values and Farmers: Anil Jain
While replying to the felicitation, Jain Irrigation Managing Director Anil Jain said that this Award is an award for small farmers in the State and the award for the cultural values of his parents. We undertook research and development for the small farmers so that he gets the higher income through the adoption of high technology in agriculture, he further said. Farmers achieved the high output in agriculture and higher income also, he added. Along with the development of small farmers, the Jain Irrigation could reach a turnover of Rs 7000/- crore from the initial capital of Rs 7000/-, Mr Jain said. He commented that those farmers, who adopted the drip irrigation, never committed suicide. Mr Anil Jain also said that they have now also stressed on the use of solar energy along with the effective use of water management for developing the sustainable farming.
