Bhubaneswar, July 20: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday expressed deep grief over the demise of Odisha's renowned organic farmer Padma Shri Awardee, Kamala Pujari.

The Prime Minister said that Pujari made a monumental contribution to agriculture, particularly boosting organic agricultural practices and protecting indigenous seeds.
 

Pained by the passing away of Smt. Kamala Pujari Ji. She made a monumental contribution to agriculture, particularly boosting organic agricultural practices and protecting indigenous seeds. Her work in enriching sustainability and protecting biodiversity will be remembered for… pic.twitter.com/GUupabkQ9m

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 20, 2024

In a X post, the Prime Minister said: “Pained by the passing away of Smt. Kamala Pujari Ji. She made a monumental contribution to agriculture, particularly boosting organic agricultural practices and protecting indigenous seeds. Her work in enriching sustainability and protecting biodiversity will be remembered for years. She was also a beacon in empowering the tribal communities. Condolences to her family and admirers. Om Shanti.”

Eminent agriculturist and Padma Shri awardee Kamala Pujari breathed her last this morning while undergoing treatment at the SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack. She was 74.

Born in Patraput village of Baipariguda block in Odisha's Koraput district, Pujari was a promoter of organic farming and had harvested around 100 varieties of rice. She was associated with the M S Swaminathan Research Foundation.

Pujari was conferred with the Padma Shri in 2019 by the then President Ramnath Kovind. She was a member of the state planning board in 2018 and was conferred with the best farmer award by the Odisha government in 2004.

She also won the 'Equator Initiative Award' in Johannesburg, South Africa in 2002.

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