Wayanad, 14 Oct (H.S.) :Cheruvayal Raman, celebrated for preserving traditional rice varieties in Wayanad and honoured with the Padma Shri in 2023, died while undergoing treatment at Kozhikode Medical College Hospital.

Popularly known as Wayanad’s “father of paddy”, Raman devoted his life to safeguarding indigenous seeds and sustaining farming practices passed down through generations. He cultivated and preserved 30 traditional rice varieties from among more than 100 that existed in Wayanad a century ago.

His work made him a prominent figure in agricultural biodiversity conservation, demonstrating how individual farmers could protect crop varieties that might otherwise disappear as cultivation patterns changed.

Raman’s journey began amid poverty. Separated from his father at the age of two, he grew up with his uncle and studied only up to Class V at Kammana Navodaya Lower Primary School. He began farming when he was ten.

In 1969, he secured a government job through the employment exchange as a warden at the Kannur District Medical Officer’s office, with a monthly salary of Rs 150. However, he declined the appointment because he did not want to leave his farmland.

That decision reflected the lifelong commitment to agriculture that would later bring him national recognition. Alongside cultivating heritage rice, Raman was active in environmental conservation and championed the protection of biodiversity.

He represented Kerala’s farmers at an international conference on biodiversity conservation in Hyderabad, according to the account of his achievements.

His contributions earned him several honours, including a genetic conservation award in 2016. The Padma Shri recognised his service to agriculture and his efforts to preserve traditional seeds.

In 2026, he received the state Agriculture Department’s award named after former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy for his overall contribution to agriculture.

His death marks the loss of a farmer whose enduring legacy lies in the heritage rice varieties he nurtured and protected.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman