Kangra’s Bharti conferred innovative farmer award

Bharti Bhoria of Kangra district was conferred the prestigious IARI Innovative Farmer Award-2026 at the valedictory ceremony of the Pusa Krishi Vigyan Mela-2026 organised by the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi, on Friday

Bharti is the sole recipient of this honour from Himachal Pradesh for 2026 conferred on her in recognition of her outstanding contributions to agricultural innovation and sustainable farming practices in the Himalayan region. Eminent agricultural scientist Rajendra Singh Paroda, former Director General of the ICAR and incumbent Chairman of the Trust for Advancement of Agricultural Sciences (TAAS), presented the award. He lauded Bharti’s pioneering work, describing her innovations as a source of inspiration for the farmers of the country.

Bharti is the proprietor of Hillsprouts, based in Dhoran village, Darang in Palampur tehsil of Kangra district. Her enterprise focuses on sustainable and technology-driven agricultural practices tailored to the unique challenges of hill farming. Through innovation, value addition and scientific crop management, Bharti has emerged as a role model for the progressive women farmers of the region.

AK Singh, Principal Scientist and In-Charge, Centre for Agricultural Technology Assessment and Transfer (CATAT), ICAR-IARI, New Delhi, had formally endorsed her selection. The IARI highlighted her valuable grass-roots contributions and invited her to share her experiences and innovations with fellow farmers, scientists and agricultural entrepreneurs during the mela.

Bharti’s recognition underscores the growing impact of women-led agri-enterprises in transforming rural economies. Her pioneering work in sustainable agriculture technologies has set a benchmark for farming communities in the Himalayan belt and beyond, demonstrating how innovation, resilience and scientific adoption can drive agricultural prosperity.