Gujarat agriculture sector gets national recognition with Agriculture Leadership Award 2026 for excellence in horticulture The coveted honour was conferred at the 17th Agriculture Leadership Conclave in New Delhi and reaffirmed the state’s position as one of the leading agricultural innovators in India.
Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh presented the award in the presence of Rajasthan Governor Haribhau Kisanrao Bagde. The award was received by Gujarat Agriculture Minister Jitu Vaghani on behalf of the Government of Gujarat.
The Agriculture Leadership Award was introduced in 2008 upon the recommendation of the eminent agricultural scientist M. S. Swaminathan, the award is given by Agriculture Today Group to acknowledge the exceptional performance and innovations made in the agriculture sector by both states and institutes. The jury constituted for selection of the recipient of the award is headed by former Chief Justice of India, Mr. P. Sathasivam, which adds to the credibility of the honour.
On getting the award, Jitu Vaghani dedicated the honour to the farmers of Gujarat and officials of the Agriculture Department. This award is the outcome of the collective efforts of Gujarat’s farmers and the Agriculture Department, as well as the state’s commitment to innovation in agriculture and horticulture,” he said.
Gujarat’s impressive agricultural record has been further enhanced by the latest recognition. Earlier, the state bagged the Best Agriculture State award in 2009, 2014 and 2018 for its path-breaking initiatives. Gujarat was also awarded “Agriculture Leadership Award” in 2019 for its outstanding work in the animal husbandry sector. The state has won a national award after seven years, this time for its achievements in horticulture.
Gujarat government says a number of landmark initiatives introduced under the leadership of then Chief Minister and present Prime Minister Narendra Modi have driven the agricultural transformation in the state. The Krushi Mahotsav and Soil Health Card programme and promotion of drip irrigation have helped increase agricultural productivity, helped in efficient water management and helped farmers’ incomes. These reforms helped Gujarat to have one of the highest agricultural growth rates in the country during the Tenth Five-Year Plan.
In recent years, horticulture has grown significantly as an important component of Gujarat’s agricultural economy with the state increasing cultivation of fruits, vegetables, spices, flowers, crops. Farmers have been able to diversify their production and increase yields thanks to better irrigation facilities, the use of modern farming methods and government assistance.
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