In a bid to encourage farmers in the State, Haryana Government will introduce ‘Kisan Ratan Puraskar’ from this year under which cash prize of Rs 5 lakh and a citation would be presented.

This was announced by Haryana Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister, OP Dhankar at a function here on Wednesday.

Dhankar said that the State Government has organised this function to honour the farmers, whose names have been announced for Padma Shri 2019 award.

The Minister said that he is thankful to Prime Minister Narendra Modi who has decided to give the highest honour of the country to 12 farmers. These included five prominent personalities from Haryana.

Dhankar  said that he also appreciate the officers of Haryana Kisan Ayog and Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Department, who have arranged this function within five days of announcement of Padma awards. With this, Haryana has become first State where Padma Shri awardees have been honoured, he said.

Haryana is also the only State to organise consecutive 4th Agri Summit. This year. the Summit will be organised from February 15 to 17 at International Fruits and Vegetables Terminus, Ganaur, Sonipat, the Minister said.

He said that 38 farmers have so far been honoured with Ratan title in the Summits and awards carrying cash amount of Rs 1lakh is given in each category. Apart from this, five awards would be given every day to farmers participating in Krishi Melas which included two tractors, a motorcycle and scooty for women.

He expressed hope that the Padma Shri awardees would become source of inspiration for other farmers.

The Minister further said that person to be honoured with Padma Shri in the field of Animal Husbandry and Dairying would inspire young farmers and would definitely lead the initiative taken by the Haryana Government to fulfill the vision of Prime Minister to double the farmers’ income by 2022.

From Haryana, Darshan Lal Jain would be receiving Padma Bhushan for social work, Kanwal Singh Chauhan for Agriculture, Narendra Singh and Sultan Singh for Animal Husbandry and Dairy, and Wrestler Bajrang Poonia would receive Padma Shri in the field of sports.

Farmers of Haryana namely Kanwar Singh Chauhan would receive Padma Shri for production of mushroom and baby corn, Narender Singh of village Deedwari district Panipat for improvement in Murrah breed and Sultan Singh of Nilokheri, Karnal for fisheries.