Gujarat Wins National Horticulture Honour

GANDHINAGAR : Gujarat has added another feather to its agricultural cap by winning the prestigious Agriculture Leadership Award 2026 for excellence in the horticulture sector, reaffirming its position as one of India’s most progressive agricultural states. The national recognition celebrates decades of policy reforms, technological innovation and the relentless efforts of lakhs of farmers who have transformed Gujarat into a horticultural powerhouse.

The award was presented to the Government of Gujarat at the 17th Agriculture Leadership Conclave–2026 in New Delhi by Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in the presence of Rajasthan Governor Haribhau Kisanrao Bagde. Gujarat Agriculture Minister Jitu Vaghani received the honour on behalf of the state government.

Calling it a proud moment for Gujarat, Vaghani dedicated the award to the state’s farmers and agriculture officials.

“This honour belongs not only to the Government of Gujarat but also to millions of hardworking farmers and the dedicated officers of the Agriculture Department who have made the state’s horticulture sector a national success,” he said.

The minister highlighted that Gujarat’s agricultural transformation began under the leadership of then Chief Minister and current Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with landmark initiatives such as Krushi Mahotsav, the Soil Health Card programme, and widespread adoption of drip irrigation. These reforms helped Gujarat achieve an agricultural growth rate of 9.9% during the Tenth Five-Year Plan, among the highest in the country.

This is not the first time Gujarat has been honoured. The state was recognised as the Best Agriculture State in 2009, 2014, and 2018, while it also received the Agriculture Leadership Award for excellence in animal husbandry in 2019.

“This recognition is a milestone that will inspire Gujarat to achieve even higher standards in agriculture and horticulture,” Vaghani added.

Instituted in 2008 by the Agriculture Today Group on the advice of renowned agricultural scientist Dr. M. S. Swaminathan, the Agriculture Leadership Award is regarded as one of India’s most credible honours. The jury is chaired by former Chief Justice of India Justice P. Sathasivam, underscoring the award’s transparency and national prestige.