KALPETTA: The passing of Cheruvayal Raman, a legendary custodian and promoter of traditional paddy seed varieties, marks an irreparable loss to Kerala’s agricultural sector. Hailing from Wayanad, he was a renowned tribal farmer who projected the agrarian heritage of the region onto the global map. Born on June 6, 1952, in the tribal hamlet of Kammana near Mananthavady in Wayanad, he grew up under the care of his uncle from a very young age amidst financial hardships. Having studied only up to the fifth standard at Kammana Navodaya LP School, he took up farming by the age of ten. In 1969, despite securing a government job as a warden at the Kannur DMO office through the employment exchange with a monthly salary of ₹150, he chose to turn it down to remain dedicated to his ancestral land.
Raman cultivated and preserved 45 traditional rice varieties across his five acres of ancestral farmland. Alongside indigenous paddy strains, he conserved rare traditional vegetables and medicinal plants. Researchers, students, and agricultural enthusiasts from across India and abroad frequently visited his farm to study indigenous farming techniques. Revered locally as “Nellachan” (the father of seeds), he represented Indian farmers at international agricultural seminars across 11 countries, including a global agricultural seminar held in Brazil.
In 2011, he represented Kerala farmers at the 11-nation biodiversity conservation summit held in Hyderabad. Acknowledging his monumental contributions to environmental and agricultural preservation, the nation honored him with the Padma Shri on Republic Day in 2023. In 2025, the state government conferred upon him the ‘Professor of Practice’ title at Kerala Agricultural University, followed by a lifetime achievement award from the State Department of Agriculture in 2026. His life and contributions were even incorporated into school textbooks, inspiring younger generations to appreciate biodiversity.
Beyond agriculture, Raman actively served his community, holding responsibilities as a local committee member of the CPI(M) in Nallurnad, Kammana branch secretary, Nallurnad Service Cooperative Bank director, and Edavaka panchayat member.
He passed away on Wednesday evening while undergoing treatment at the Kozhikode Government Medical College Hospital. He was 74. He is survived by his wife Geetha, and children Ramani, Rameshwar, and Rajesh.
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