THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The State Department of Agriculture's Sibi Kallingal Memorial Karshakothama Award (Rs. 2 lakhs) for the best farmer has been awarded to PB Aneesh, a native of Taliparambu Udayagiri, Kannur.

Kuttanad Kavalam 24000 Kayal Padasekhara Samithi received the Mithranikethan Padmashree K Viswanathan Memorial Nelkathir Award (Rs. 5 lakhs) for the best group farming committee. Sivaganesh from Meenakshipuram, Palakkad won the Kerakesari award for the best coconut farmer (two lakhs).

Young Farmers Award was awarded to M. Srividya (1 lakh) from Bedadukka, Kasargod and the award for Young Farmer (1 lakh) went to P Saifullah, who hails from Karinchappadi in Malappuram's Vattalloor.

Harithamitra Award for vegetable farmer (1 lakh) was won by Jacob Joseph from Eraviperur, Thiruvalla and Udyana Sreeshta Award for flower farming (1 lakh) was won by S Sheeja from Umayanallur, Kollam.

The award was announced by Agriculture Minister VS Sunilkumar. He also said that special tributes would be paid to Kumbhamma from Vellamunda in Wayanad Arun K, a native of Oorakam in Malappuram's Melmuri and Sreedharan, a native of Kuttichal Kompidi in Thiruvananthapuram who overcame their disabilities and built their lives through agriculture.