Kerala’s ‘Living Paddy Gene Bank’ Cheruvayal Raman Dies at 74

Brief By Hindustan Times / 10:30 PM on 14 Oct 2026

Padma Shri awardee Cheruvayal Raman, a tribal farmer from Kerala’s Wayanad district, died aged 74 while undergoing treatment. Known for preserving over 45 indigenous rice varieties, Raman promoted traditional, chemical-free farming. He cultivated rare seeds on his farm and distributed them to others. Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra paid tribute, remembering his contribution to biodiversity conservation and farming heritage.