Kerala’s ‘Living Paddy Gene Bank’ Cheruvayal Raman Dies at 74; Rahul, Priyanka Gandhi Pay Tribute
Raman was recognized for preserving native rice varieties and sustainable farming, earning the Padma Shri in 2023 and Kerala farm honors later.
- Cheruvayal Raman, the Padma Shri awardee from Wayanad who preserved indigenous paddy, died Wednesday at age 74 while receiving treatment at Kozhikode Medical College for age-related ailments.
- Born in 1952 to Kelappan and Theyi, Raman assumed management of his family's agricultural land and seeds at 17, eventually becoming the "guardian of native paddy."
- Recognition for his preservation of seeds like Kunnumkulamban and Peruvaka included the Plant Genome Savior Award and the Oommen Chandy memorial award-2025 for his contributions to agriculture.
- Beyond local farming, Raman represented the agricultural community on international platforms, participating in conventions across 11 countries including Brazil while providing seeds without charge.
- The life and work of Raman stand as a testament to the role farmers play in protecting Kerala's natural heritage, with his legacy enduring through the indigenous rice varieties he championed.
14 Articles
14 Articles
Cheruvayal Raman, ‘Paddy Man of Wayanad’, Passes Away; Padma Shri Awardee Preserved 63 Traditional Rice Varieties
Cheruvayal Raman, popularly known as the ‘Paddy Man of Wayanad’, has passed away, marking a loss to India’s agricultural heritage and the conservation of traditional rice varieties. 74-year-old was undergoing treatment for age-related ailments at Kozhikode Medical College Hospital. A native of Kammana in Edavaka, Wayanad, he was widely known as ‘Nellachan’ (father of paddy) for dedicating his life to preserving indigenous paddy varieties. A pass…
Cheruvayal Raman, who preserved Keralam’s over 45 traditional rice varieties, dies at 74
Wayanad (Keralam), Oct 14 (PTI) Cheruvayal Raman, the Padma Shri award-winning tribal farmer who devoted his life to preserving traditional rice varieties in Keralam, died at the age of 74 while undergoing treatment at the Kozhikode Medical College Hospital on Wednesday, family sources said. A native of Kammanam in Mananthavady, Raman was widely known for […]
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