Mandi (Himachal Pradesh), Jan. 27 -- : Nek Ram Sharma, a farmer of Himachal Pradesh's Mandi district, has been conferred with the prestigious Padma Shri award for his distinguished service in the field of agriculture, especially organic farming.
Sharma, the only Padma awardee from Himachal Pradesh, also expressed his gratitude to the government for this achievement.
"I have been growing nine different grains through organic farming. This award has increased my responsibility towards my work even more. I used to do organic farming as a hobby and worked for it for up to 14 hours, but now I will have to work for 18 hours," Sharma said while speaking to ANI.
Nek Ram said there is a high need to shun the use of fertilizers in farming.
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