About the Awards

The Professor Rattan Lal Awards for Excellence in Regenerative Agriculture is a national initiative honouring the individuals and organizations driving India's transition to regenerative agriculture and healthier soils. Launched in 2025, the awards celebrate work that restores ecosystems, strengthens farmer livelihoods, conserves biodiversity, and builds climate resilience

The awards are jointly instituted by Solidaridad and ICAR–Indian Institute of Soil Science (ICAR-IISS), Bhopal a partnership that brings together global development expertise and India's leading scientific institution for soil research, united by a shared commitment to soil health and sustainable, inclusive farming systems.

A Tribute To

Professor Rattan Lal

The awards honour Professor Rattan Lal, the World Food Prize Laureate whose lifelong research reshaped how the world understands soil as the foundation of food security, climate resilience, biodiversity, and human well-being.

"Healthy soils are the foundation of healthy food, healthy people, and a healthy planet."

His enduring message continues to guide governments, scientists, institutions, and farmers worldwide.

The Bigger Purpose

Why Regenerative Agriculture

Regenerative agriculture is among the most promising responses to today's interconnected crises climate change, soil degradation, biodiversity loss, water scarcity, and food insecurity. By rebuilding soil organic carbon, restoring ecosystem functions, and reducing reliance on external inputs, it offers a practical path to resilient farms and thriving rural communities.

Celebrating Impact

Who the Awards Recognize

The awards celebrate outstanding contributions from across the ecosystem researchers, scientists, policymakers, innovators, educational institutions, development organizations, businesses, media professionals, youth leaders, and progressive farmers all driving measurable, on-the-ground change in regenerative agriculture.

Building a Movement

Beyond recognition, the awards aim to strengthen collaboration across science, policy, industry, civil society, and farming communities creating a platform to share knowledge, showcase successful models, and accelerate the adoption of regenerative practices across India's diverse agro-ecological regions.

Each year, this commitment is reinforced through the joint celebration of World Soil Day by Solidaridad and ICAR-IISS, spotlighting healthy soils as central to food security, climate action, biodiversity, and sustainable development. The Professor Rattan Lal Awards extend that message into action, recognizing those turning principles into practice.

More than an award
it's a call to action.

An invitation to every stakeholder to become a champion of regenerative agriculture, and to help build a future where healthy soils sustain healthy communities, resilient economies, and a thriving planet.