Paani Foundation’s “Farmer Cup” Prize Distribution with CM Devendra Fadnavis and Aamir Khan

PUNE: The Shiv Chhatrapati Shivaji Sports Complex in Balewadi witnessed a grand prize distribution ceremony, hosted by the Paani Foundation for “Satyamev Jayate Farmer Cup 2024”. Founded by Aamir Khan and Kiran Rao, the foundation has been working to create a drought-free and prosperous Maharashtra since 2016.

The Farmer Cup competition was hosted between 4,300+ farmer collectives (almost 2000 all-women groups) from 46 talukas of Maharashtra. Bhagyoday Shetkari Gat from Tasgaon taluka, Sangli district, clinched the first prize at the state level, winning a cash prize of Rs. 25 lakhs, as well as the coveted Farmer Cup trophy. The second prize at the state level was Rs. 15 lakh, and the third prize was Rs. 10 lakh. All-women groups performed excellently in the competition. Two groups won two state-level prizes and several taluka-level prizes of Rs. 50,000 each.

Paani Foundation’s founder Aamir Khan made a grand announcement at the ceremony, announcing that starting 2026, Paani Foundation will scale its work pan-Maharahstra. This means that every single farmer in the state of Maharashtra will have access to the Farmer Cup competition platform which trains them and imparts knowledge to reduce per-acre costs and improve per-acre productivity and incomes.

Hon’ble CM Shri Devendra Fadnavis, the Chief Guest of this event, appreciated these efforts and officially inaugurated the pan-Maharashtra competition. Hon’ble CM congratulated all the farmers for their outstanding work in sustainable water and agriculture practices. He also announced that Rs. 5 lakh will be given to each of the 25 state-level contender groups of Farmer Cup 2024, on behalf of the government. He also shared various achievements and updates regarding the government’s work to promote climate-resilient and sustainable agriculture and committed that the entire 1 lakh cadre of the state government working in rural development, will support the Farmer Cup endeavor. 

Maharashtra Agriculture Minister Shri Manikrao Kokate presented all the taluka-level awards and inspired the farmers in his address, to continue working collectively.

The highlight of the event was a skit by the team of the popular Marathi show, ‘Chala Hawa Yeu Dyaa’ as well as a multimedia performance presented by Paani Foundation. This performance featured 3 women farmers from Maharashtra, who shared their stories of determination and success, accompanied by enthralling music, song as well as dance performances by renowned choreographer Phulawa Khamkar and troupe.

Other dignitaries such as the Chairman and MD of Sahyadri Farms, Shri Vilas Shinde, the Founder of Bharatiya Jain Sanghatana, Shri Shantilal Muttha, and Padma Shri Popatrao Pawar, also appreciated all the participating farmer groups. They applauded their unity and emphasized how collectivization in farming is the key to tackling the uncertainties and challenges posed by agriculture.

Paani Foundation’s Co-Founder, Kiran Rao spoke about the organisation’s work to tackle climate change. The CEO, Satyajit Bhatkal, presented the impact of the organization’s work, mentioning that in 2024, farmers participating in the Farmer Cup have achieved an additional profit of over 100 crore rupees, by implementing SOPs in agriculture and saving cultivation costs. The organization’s Chief Advisor, Dr. Avinash Pol, spoke about how farmer groups are going beyond the ambit of the competition and doing extraordinary work in setting up small businesses and economic initiatives.

Paani Foundation’s Founders, Aamir Khan, and Kiran Rao also congratulated the farmers in their speeches. Khan spoke about the overarching vision of the Paani Foundation. He shared how the foundation is committed to creating an economically and ecologically strong Maharashtra, where farmers are prosperous and climate-resilient.