Sakata Seed India Marks Historic Presence at MFOI National Awards 2025-26

National Recognition for Broccoli Farmers Creates Landmark Moment in Indian Agriculture

New Delhi, — The Millionaire Farmer of India (MFOI) Awards 2025, held from December 7 to 9 at IARI Pusa and jointly organized by Krishi Jagran and ICAR, delivered a landmark moment for Indian agriculture. For the first time in the country’s history, broccoli farmers were honoured on a national stage, signalling a significant shift toward high-value and nutrition-focused crops.

Widely regarded as the “Oscar Awards of Indian Agriculture,” the event brought together farmers, agri-scientists, corporate leaders, policymakers, and international experts, drawing nearly one lakh visitors over three days.

Four Broccoli Farmers Honoured for Exceptional Achievements

This year marked an important milestone for Sakata Seed India as broccoli growers from four contrasting agroclimatic regions earned national recognition for their achievements. The awards were presented by Shri Bhagirath Choudhary from the Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, marking a significant moment for high-value vegetable cultivation in the country.

• Rakesh Rashpa (Lahaul-Spiti, Himachal Pradesh) demonstrated successful production in sub-zero Himalayan conditions.

• Azzur Rahman (Assam) achieved strong results in high humidity and disease-prone areas.

• Mohammad Nasir (Uttar Pradesh) produced premium-quality heads suited to major northern markets.

• Rajendra Shelke (Maharashtra) delivered an impressive performance under heat-prone western conditions.

Their achievements highlight how modern broccoli genetics can thrive across India’s most challenging environments — from freezing altitudes to humid plains and heat-stressed regions. These success stories resonated strongly with thousands of farmers attending MFOI 2025, inspiring many to explore broccoli as a profitable and nutrition-forward crop. Collectively, the recognition reflects both individual excellence and Sakata Seed India’s commitment to advancing reliable, high-value solutions for Indian farmers.

Broccoli Bouquet Gains National Visibility, Sakata Receives Sponsorship Trophy from Union Ministers

A standout moment occurred when the team presented a fresh Sakata Broccoli bouquet to the Honourable Minister on stage. The gesture received warm appreciation from dignitaries and the audience, quickly gaining traction across media channels and reinforcing the visibility of broccoli as an emerging high-value vegetable in India. Sakata Seed India was further recognized with the Sponsorship Trophy, presented by Shri Ajay Mishra Teni, Minister of State for Home Affairs, in the presence of Shri Ramdas Athawale, Minister of State for Social Justice & Empowerment. The recognition underscored the company’s continued contributions in agricultural research, seed innovation, and farmer development initiatives.

Technical-Commercial Session Highlights Broccoli’s Health Benefits and Market Potential as Super Food for Healthy India

A detailed technical presentation during the event highlighted broccoli’s global demand in context to India, Superfood due to rich nutrient content of vitamin C,K, fiber, antioxidant-Sulforaphane and role in promoting a healthier life style nutrition-forward India. The session provided farmers with better insight on better return on investment as new alternatives crop and market opportunities, encouraging broader adoption of the crop nationwide.

High Footfall and International Appreciation at the Sakata Booth

The MFOI event drew over 5,000 attendees, including more than 1,000 progressive farmers from across the country. Among them, the Sakata booth emerged as one of the most visited attractions, offering live crop samples, hybrid demonstrations, and technical guidance for farmers and agri-professionals. International floriculture expert 

Ms. Dilyana Blagova also visited the booth, commending the quality and presentation of Sakata’s vegetable and flower displays — including Broccoli, Sunflowers, Lisianthus, Marigold, Kale, Pansy, and Petunia. She expressed a particular fondness for Lisianthus, noting that she regularly uses the flower to decorate her home because of its long vase life and the wide range of colours available to suit various home décor themes. Her appreciation added a valuable global perspective to the booth’s overall impact.

A Defining Milestone for India’s Broccoli Landscape

As the MFOI Awards 2025–26 concluded, the national recognition of broccoli growers emerged as a historic milestone for India’s vegetable farming sector. With increasing consumer awareness, rising market demand, and rapid farmer adoption, broccoli is steadily shaping the future of nutrition-focused agriculture in India. This achievement stands as a proud moment for Sakata Seed India (P) Ltd., reflecting its commitment to innovation, farmer empowerment, and sustainable agricultural growth. More than an award celebration, the event symbolized the beginning of a new movement, a growing momentum that many are proudly calling India’s “Broccoli Revolution.”