Kerala State Farm Awards announced, Cheruvayal Raman wins first Oommen Chandy memorial award for contributions to farm sector
Cheruvayal K. Raman, a tribal farmer known for preserving native paddy varieties, has been awarded the first Oommen Chandy memorial award. The Kerala State Farm Awards recognize various contributors to the state's agricultural sector.
Why it matters
Recognizing traditional knowledge and sustainable farming practices is increasingly important for biodiversity and food security.
Cheruvayal K. Raman, popularly known as the ‘guardian of native paddy,’ has been selected for the first Oommen Chandy memorial award for outstanding contributions to Kerala’s farm sector.
Agriculture Minister T. Siddique announced his name while announcing the 2025 Kerala State Farm Awards in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday (August 9, 2026).
The award carries ₹5 lakh in cash prize, citation and plaque. In a message, the septuagenarian Mr. Raman, who hails from the tribal community in Wayanad district, told The Hindu that he was happy to have been picked for the award named after the late Congress leader and the former Chief Minister. Mr. Raman, who was conferred the Padma Shri in 2023 for his “contribution to sustainable agriculture and preservation of biodiversity,” underscored the need to encourage farming and farmers.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in