Gauri Kanta Deka, an Assamese farmer, 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 2–4, the felicitation function will take place on March 4th, 2023.
Deka, 74, has previously received numerous honours from the Department of Agriculture, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Barpeta, and other district and state-level organizations.
At a very young age, he began farming. While his peers began formal education, he worked in the fields.
Many Assam Agricultural University students are currently working on their fieldwork under Deka’s guidance.
Even with chemical pesticides, farmers can’t keep insects away from potato seeds, but this farmer has done it without 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.
In addition to fish farming in two huge ponds, his field also produces cashew nuts, apple trees, dragonfruit, pears, mangoes, and the pricy coco fruit used to make chocolate. Also, he has participated in agricultural events and won the title of “Best Farmer” in the district.
In 2018, the Akhil Bharatiya Hindu Mahasabha gave him the Luitparia Lifetime Achievement Award for his work.He also got the Barpeta KVK’s Lifetime Contribution Recognition award. He once won an award for displaying an 800-gram, 2-kilogram brinjal.
Deka additionally served as a representative on the Agricultural Marketing Board. Deka has leased up to 70 bighas of land, and he spreads out his farming operations across 22 bighas.
He had already received recognition from Tarun Gogoi, the former chief minister.
