Cheruvayal Raman

Farmer

Indian Wayanad, Kerala, India Gemini

Quick Info

ProfessionFarmer
NationalityIndian
Date of Birth06/06/1952
Age74 years (died on 14, Oct, 2026)
BirthplaceWayanad, Kerala, India
Date of Death14/10/2026
Zodiac SignGemini

Latest News about Cheruvayal Raman

14/10/2026

Cheruvayal Raman, the Padma Shri-winning tribal farmer from Wayanad known for conserving traditional rice varieties, died at Kozhikode Medical College Hospital while undergoing treatment. Reports place his age at 74, while one obituary gives 76. Kerala Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan and others paid tribute to his role as a guardian of the state's agricultural heritage.

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Bio/Wiki

Full NameCheruvayal K. Raman
Other Names
  • Thakakkara Cheriyaraman
  • Cheruvail Raman
Nicknames
  • Guardian of rare seeds
  • Nellachan (father of rice)
  • Paddy Man of Wayanad
Known ForSafeguarding over 55 indigenous rice varieties

Physical Stats & More

Eye ColourLight Brown
Hair ColourSalt and Pepper

Educational Qualification(s)

Highest QualificationFifth Grade
SchoolKammana Navodaya L.P. School, Wayanad

Personal Life

ReligionHinduism
TribeKurichiya
Place of DeathKozhikode, Kerala
Cause of DeathAge-related illness
Death Details
  • Passed away while receiving treatment at Government Medical College Hospital, Kozhikode, Kerala
  • Received a funeral with state honours on 15 October 2026

Relationships & More

Marital Status (at the time of death)Married

Family

Wife/SpouseGeetha
Sons
  • Ramesan
  • Rajesh
Daughters
  • Ramani
  • Rajitha
FatherKelappan
MotherTheyi

Career

Awards, Honours & Achievements
  • Genetic Conservation Award (2016)
  • National Plant Genome Saviour Award (2016)
  • Padma Shri (2023), in the agriculture category
  • Kerala State Farm Award (2025)
  • Green Individual Award from the Kerala State Biodiversity Board (2012)
  • Plant Genome Saviour recognition (2013)
  • Recognition from the Indian Institute of Rice Research (2015)
  • Honoured by Habitat School, Ajman, UAE, at an agricultural festival (2018)
  • Recognition from Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (2019)
  • Oommen Chandy Memorial Agricultural Award (2026), the first edition of the award
Notable Activities
  • Invited to the Belém 30 International Conference on Nature in Brazil (2018)
  • Participated in the Kerala State Biodiversity Congress (2019)
  • Documented by the People's Archive of Rural India (2025)
  • Represented Kerala's farming community at an international biodiversity conservation conference in Hyderabad (2011)
Contribution
  • Preserved dozens of traditional rice varieties, some believed to be more than 500 years old
  • Rice collection included Chennelu, Thindi, Veliyan, Kalladiyaran, Mannu Veliyan, Chembakam, Gandhakashala, Jeerakasala, Kayama, and Palthondi
  • Palthondi and Kayama served as gene donors for rice variety development at Kerala Agricultural University
  • Shared seeds with farmers through an exchange system

Some Lesser Known Facts

1. Belonged to the Kurichiya tribal community
2. Lost his father at the age of two and was raised by his maternal uncle, who introduced him to traditional farming
3. Left school at the age of 10 to work in the fields with his maternal uncle
4. Declined a job offer as a warden at the District Medical Office in Kannur in 1969 to continue farming
5. Took responsibility for the family's inherited seeds and farming tradition after his maternal uncle died in 1989
6. Stored seeds in bamboo containers and straw baskets, and regularly grew varieties to keep the seeds fresh and viable
7. Reportedly suffered annual losses of around Rs 70,000 in 2022 from cultivating and preserving seeds
8. Said his family sometimes depended on rice supplied through the government ration system despite being a rice farmer
9. Was affectionately called Nellachan, meaning the father of rice, by people in Kerala
10. Was remembered by Priyanka Gandhi Vadra as her 'Malayali Acchan' after his death

Also born on 6 June

Information on this page is collected from public sources and may not be 100% accurate. Report an error
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