Satyanarayana to get Padma Shri for collecting 10,000 varieties of rice

KASARAGOD: Satyanarayana Beleri, who collected about 10,000 varieties of rice, including 650 rare varieties by travelling all over the country and preserving them for future generations has been honoured with Padma Shri. The 48-year-old man from Belur's Nettenige in Kasaragod said he is happy to receive the Padma Shri and dedicates the honour to agriculture.

He collected rare rice varieties by preparing fields and growing them in grow bags. Rare varieties, which are very few available, are planted in growbags. He started with two seed varieties 12 years ago. After that, he wandered from state to state in search of seeds.

Satyanarayana turned to agriculture after his 10th-standard. He travelled to villages in India with the goal of collecting 10,000 seeds and growing them. His paddy farming is on a four-acre hillside with coconut, gourd and pepper. The seeds will also be given free to the farmers.

He is the son of late Kunhirama Mani- Janaki couple of Belleri. His wife Jayashree, children Navyasree, Greeshma, Abhinava and siblings help in farming.