Guwahati: Gauri Kanta Deka, a farmer from Assam will be honoured by the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) for his efforts by top farmers and agricultural researchers in the nation.
At the Innovative Farmers’ Recognition for Pusa Krishi Vigyan Mela 2023, which will be hosted in New Delhi from March 2 to 4, the felicitation function will take place on March 4th, 2023.
Deka, who is 74 years old, has previously received numerous honours from the Department of Agriculture, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Barpeta, and other groups at the district and state levels.
He began farming at a very young age. He used to work in the fields although his peers began formal education.
Many Assam Agricultural University students are currently working on their fieldwork under Deka’s guidance.
Although farmers cannot protect potato seeds from insects even when using chemical pesticides, the farmer has managed without using any pesticides.
He also raises and sells seedlings of horticultural plants through grafting, including premium mango and palm trees. Also, he produces insecticides at home with vermicompost and cow urine. The farmer grows and sells paddy, potatoes, melons, strawberries, palm, cabbage, and cabbage seedlings in the market. He also raises and sells paddy.
His field also produces cashew nuts, apple trees, dragonfruit, pears, mangoes, and the pricy coco fruit used to make chocolate in addition to fish farming in two huge ponds. Also, he has participated in agricultural events and won the title of Best Farmer in the district.
He received the Luitparia Lifetime Achievement Award from the Akhil Bharatiya Hindu Mahasabha in 2018. He also got the Barpeta KVK’s Lifetime Contribution Recognition award. He once won an award for displaying an 800 gramme, 2 kilogramme brinjal.
Deka additionally served as a representative on the Agricultural Marketing Board. Up to 70 bighas of land have been leased by Deka, and his farming operations are dispersed across 22 bighas.
Earlier, he was also honored by the then chief minister Tarun Gogoi.