Agriculture

Shree Chhatrapati Shivaji Market Yard of Pune is one of the most bustling market places in Maharashtra. Spread over 175 acres in over 1000 commercial blocks (galas), the agri produce at the market follows an intricate distribution chain, changing hands from farmers, commission agents (adate), traders, wholesalers to retailers. Some of the new generation of licensed traders at the market are reforming the trading practices by using management principles and adopting technology to bring in more transparency and generating better returns for the farmers. Meet Pune based Rohan S. Ursal, a Management professional and Partner at DB Ursal and Sons dealing in trading of fruits, who was honoured with Innovative Young Entrepreneur Award at Krishithon 2017 for his efforts in strengthening the Indian Agri Sector.

While we find many who only stick to their daily work routine throughout their career not going beyond their call of duty, here is a government official who stands out. Meet G S Unnikrishnan Nair, Deputy Director in the Department of Agriculture, Kerala, who is on a mission to popularise science among the masses. A popular science writer, science fiction writer, children’s writer, farm journalist, Science film maker and novelist in Malayalam, he has won 7 National awards and 8 State Awards for his work on science popularisation through print and electronic media.

Microbiz Network India Ltd, an Agro Tech company based in Mumbai has developed and mastered a technology that makes the use of harmful chemical pesticides redundant. They have been recently honoured with the Skoch Order of Merit Award in recognition to their efforts in developing technology for inclusive growth of farmers, environmental damage control and sustainable farming.