Paddy seed conservationist Cheruvayal Raman dies

KALPETTA: Cheruvayal Raman, a renowned traditional paddy seed conservator and organic farmer from Wayanad, passed away. He was 74. He died while undergoing treatment at the Kozhikode Medical College Hospital. He was a farmer belonging to the Kurichiya community who won numerous accolades, including awards from the state government. In 2023, the nation honoured him with the Padma Shri award.

He was born in Edavaka Kammana near Mananthavady in Wayanad in 1952. Raman, who had no formal education in agriculture or botany, started farming at the age of 17. He was known as the 'Nellachan' (Father of Paddy) of Wayanad. Many including students from abroad used to visit him at his house in Kammana to know about agriculture.

He had visited Brazil and UAE. He suffered a cardiac arrest when he went to take class at Ajmal in 2018. He later shortened his trips. Though he had invitations to visit Singapore and London, he did not go citing health issues. He had 55 traditional paddy seeds with him. He got the award instituted by the state department of agriculture in the name of former chief minister Oommen Chandy for comprehensive contributions to the agricultural sector.

He leaves behind his wife Geetha and children Ramani, Ramesh, Rajesh and Rejitha. His sons and daughters in laws are Rajan, Unnikrishnan, Rejitha and Thankamani.