Jalgaon : Dr. Anil Vitthal Joshi from Konkan is the recipient of Late Dr. Appasaheb Pawar Modern Agri High Tech Award 2012 instituted by Jain Irrigation and Bhavarlal and Kantabai Jain Multipurpose Foundation. The awards were given by Mr. Sharad Pawar, Union Minister of Agriculture at a ceremony held in Jalgaon today. This award, given once every two years, is considered among the most respected awards in the Indian agricultural sector.

Jain Tissue Culture Park, the nation’s leading modern tissue culture facility and known for production of banana and pomegranate tissue culture plants, will also be inaugurated by Mr. Sharad Pawar. The dignitaries present at the ceremony included Opposition leader Eknathrao Khadse, State Agriculture Minister Sanjay Sawkare, MP Ishwarlalji Jain, MP Haribhau Jawale, MP A. T. Nana Patil, MLA Girish Mahajan, MLA Chimanaba Patil, MLA Gulabrao Deokar, MLA Rajeev Deshmukh, MLA Dilip Kaap, MLA Jagdishchandra Dalvi, MLA Shirish Chowdhari, MLA Sahebrao Patil, MLA Manish Jain and Vidhansabha Ex Chairman Arunbhai Gujrathi, Ex. Minister for State Satish Anna Patil, Ex MP Vasantrao More, Ex MLA Gulabrao Patil, Zilla Parishad Chairman Dilip Khodape, Mayor Rakhitai Sonavane, Corporator Rameshdada Jain.

The first green revolution and the changes that have taken place in the agricultural sector are generally not appreciated by the people.  But there were many people who braved the sun, rains and winter and empowered farmers by travelling into interior Maharashtra. Among them, Padmashri Late Appasaheb Pawar’s name will always be in the forefront. He tried to reach out through science and technology books. Jain Irrigation Founder Bhavarlalji Jain and Appasaheb met in the US city of Fresno during a High Technology Agriculture exhibition. The dream Appasaheb had in his heart about the development of Indian Agriculture was shared with Shri Bhavarlalji in Fresno. Times have changed. Appasaheb’s work has been proven in every test. Jain Irrigation initiated this award, given once in two years, to revive his memory. This is considered to be the most prestigious award in the Indian Agricultural Sector.

The past recepients of the award are as follows: Vishwasrao Kachare, pomegranate producer from Telangwadi, Dist Solapur (2002), Prabhakar Mankar from Aakot, Dist Akola (2004), Vishwasrao Anandrao Patil (Pachora, Dist Jalgaon) (2006), Bhagwanrao Yashwantrao Kshirsagar (Kadwanchi, Dist Jalna) (2008) and Mrs. Manisha Kunjir from Pune (2010).

Jain Tissue Culture Park of international standard also to be inaugurated

Jain Irrigation has earned a leading position in micro irrigation, PVC pipes, HDPE pipe, PVC sheets, Solar Power, Bio Gas Power and Fruit and Vegetables processing industry on an international level. The new Jain Tissue Culture Park is now being added to this list. The park is located in an area of 219 acres with 8 acres of green house area and modern poly house area of 69 acres. Roofwater harvesting system has been implemented on entire poly house for optimum use of every drop of rainwater. The entire project is powered with solar power. This Tissue Park has consulting facility to educate farmers about agriculture techniques and how they can increase their earnings out of it. The production of 100 % virus indexing of banana plants and pomegranate plants free from telya and mar diseases has been started here.

Jain Irrigation’s tissue culture banana yearly capacity is 10 crore plants and pomegranate and strawberry capacity is 1 crore each per annum. Jain Irrigation’s Tissue culture lab has got global recognition and it is approved by Indian Government’s NCS-TPC and NABL. Jain Irrigation has given special attention towards women’s employment.

Jain Irrigation’s Tissue Culture Park will be opened for training for farmers to make it a mantra for beneficial farming in future.

Source : Lokesh Shastri