New Delhi : Pasha Patel, Executive Chairman of the Maharashtra Chief Minister’s Environment Balanced Development Task Force and Chairman of the Maharashtra State Agricultural Price Commission, has been honoured with the Agriculture Leadership Award at the 17th Agriculture Leadership Conclave 2026 held in New Delhi.
The award was presented by Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Rajasthan Governor Haribhau Bagde during the conclave organised by the Agriculture Today Group in association with the Union Ministry of Food Processing Industries.
According to the organisers, Patel was recognised for his contributions to agricultural policy, environmental sustainability and initiatives aimed at strengthening farmers’ livelihoods.
Bamboo Biofuel Can Support India’s Energy and Farm Economy: Patel
Speaking after receiving the award, Patel said bamboo-based biofuel has the potential to become an important component of India’s transition towards cleaner energy while creating additional income opportunities for farmers.
He described bamboo as a fast-growing crop that requires relatively less water and can be used for producing different forms of biofuel. According to Patel, wider adoption of bamboo-based biofuel could help reduce dependence on fossil fuels, lower fuel import costs and diversify income sources for farmers beyond conventional agriculture.
Highlights Environmental Benefits
Patel also highlighted bamboo’s environmental advantages, saying the crop can contribute to carbon sequestration, help reduce soil erosion and support land restoration. He said bamboo cultivation requires comparatively lower inputs of water and fertilisers, making it suitable for sustainable agricultural practices.
He expressed the view that a well-developed bamboo economy could simultaneously contribute to environmental conservation, renewable energy production, rural employment and higher farm incomes.
Conclave Brings Together Policymakers and Agriculture Experts
The conclave was attended by Union Minister for Food Processing Industries Chirag Paswan, Union Minister of State Dr. Jitendra Singh, former Chief Justice of India Justice P. Sathasivam, Uttar Pradesh Agriculture Minister Surya Pratap Shahi and Agriculture Today Group founder Dr. M. J. Khan, along with policymakers, researchers, industry representatives and agriculture experts from India and abroad.
About the Award
The Agriculture Leadership Awards have been presented annually by the Agriculture Today Group since 2008. According to the organisers, the selection process is carried out through a two-stage evaluation by a National Awards Committee chaired by former Chief Justice of India Justice P. Sathasivam.
Previous recipients have included public figures from the fields of agriculture, public policy and rural development, including Rajnath Singh, Sharad Pawar, agricultural scientist Dr. M. S. Swaminathan and dairy pioneer Dr. Verghese Kurien.
