Cheruvayal Raman, Padma Shri recipient and renowned protector of traditional paddy seeds of Wayanad, passes away

Cheruvayal Raman, a renowned defender of traditional paddy seeds, passed away on Wednesday (October 14, 2026) at the age of 74. He was being treated for age-related ailments at Kozhikode Medical College Hospital. A native of Kammana in Edavaka, Wayanad, he was widely known locally as ‘Nellachan’ (Father of Paddy) for dedicating his life to the conservation of indigenous paddy varieties.

Also read: From the fields of Kammana to Brazil

Born in 1952 to Kelappan and Theya of the Cheruvayal Kurichya lineage, Mr. Raman took over the responsibility of managing his family’s farmland, livestock and traditional seeds at the age of 17 after the death of his uncle. Despite obstacles to formal higher education, he gained extensive agricultural knowledge through life experiences. Mr. Raman has preserved numerous traditional rice seeds including Kunnumkulamban, Peruvaka, Kuthicheera, Kunkumasali, Kunjunni, Onamottam, Onachanna, Vellimuthu, Kanakam and Chembakam.

He consistently provided paddy seeds to those who sought them without charging any money. During his lifetime, Mr. Raman represented Kerala’s farming community at international platforms, including the 2011 Hyderabad International Conference on Biodiversity and the World Agriculture Seminar in Brazil.

In total, he participated in global conventions in 11 countries. His contributions to agro-biodiversity have won him several awards, including the Plant Genome Savior Award from the Union Ministry of Agriculture.

In 2023, he was awarded the Padma Shri, one of the country’s highest civilian honours. This keeper of indigenous paddy seeds was also the winner of the first State Government Oommen Chandy Memorial Award 2025 for his outstanding contribution in the agriculture sector.

Chief Minister VD Satheesan expressed deep grief over Mr. Raman’s demise and remembered him as the “guardian and living gene bank” of rare traditional paddy varieties in the state.

In a tribute shared on social media, the Chief Minister paid homage to the veteran tribal farmer. “Honor to the memory of this noble soul who truly understood the soil, nurtured the seeds and lived for nature,” Mr. Satheesan said in his message, offering his sincere condolences to the bereaved family and the farming community.

In his condolence message, Leader of the Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan described Mr. Raman as a living embodiment of Kerala’s traditional agricultural heritage and biodiversity conservation. His death was a loss to the entire state, he said.

Mr. Vijayan said that Mr. Raman wholeheartedly supported the initiatives taken by the Left Democratic Front government during its decade in power to promote agriculture, protect the environment and support farmers.

Published – 14 Oct 2026 5:30 PM IST