Shri. P. Azhagar
Dindugal, Tamil Nadu
Crop: Drumstick
P. Azhagar is probably one of the most experienced farmers in India today, with more than three and a half decades in agriculture. He is an active member of the 'Tamil Nadu Grassroots Innovations Association, Madurai', the 'Organic Farming Association of India' and the 'Government Horticulture College'. President, 'Tamil Nadu Organic Farm Movement'; special member, 'National Drumstick Research Center, TNAU, Coimbatore' and part of steering committee, 'Ozone Production Management Committee, Tamil Nadu'. He developed a new variety of drumstick by cross breeding several local varieties of the plant. Naming it 'Improved.
Pallapatti Alagarsamy Vellimalai Murugan (PAVM1)'. He has also developed air layering for vegetative propagation of the plant and an organic tonic using panchkavya, themoore, fish amino acid and microorganism as ingredients, which is used for treating flower drooping, increasing fruit growth and enhancing fruit shine.
The results:
- 25 tonnes more output as compared to previous years
- Shelf life of the drumstick increased by a week
- Generated employment for women – grafting the seedlings
- Can be planted in drought prone areas
- 1000 farmers following his practices
He has also been honoured with the 'CITI South Zone Award for Micro Entrepreneur – 2008', presented by Citi Group, New Delhi; the 'Best Innovator Award- 2008', presented by Dindugal Farmers Association; the 'National Sastri Samman Award – 2006', presented by Sastri Innovation Foundation, Ahmedabad; the 'Golden Achiever Award – 2006, presented by Bharathi Cultural Association; the 'Organic Agriculture Gyanni Award – 2006', presented by Tamil Pannai, Dindugal; and the 'National Moringa Scientist Award – 2003', presented by Tamil Nadu Organic Farmers Movement, Chennai.
Mahindra Samriddhi India Agri Awards is proud to acknowledge the remarkable achievements of Shri. P. Azhagar by awarding him the 'Krishi Samrat Samman 2013'.