Full Breakdown
Cheruvayal Raman, Tribal Farmer and Living Gene Bank, Dies at 74
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event: Death of a Pioneering Seed Conservator
Cheruvayal Raman passed away on October 14, 2026 while receiving treatment for age-related ailments at Kozhikode Medical College Hospital. Sources report his age at death as 74, though one outlet listed 76. He was widely known as “Nellachan” (father of rice) and had been honored with the Padma Shri in 2023.
Background & Context
Born on June 6, 1952 in Kammanam, Mananthavady, Raman belonged to the Kurichiya Scheduled Tribe of Kerala. He began working in paddy fields at age 10 and took charge of his family’s seed stock at 17 after his uncle’s death. Inspired by agricultural enthusiasts around the turn of the millennium, he started collecting indigenous rice varieties from fields across Wayanad. By the mid-2010s he was cultivating all varieties each year on three acres of his ancestral mud-house farm.
His work earned national recognition: the National Plant Genome Saviour Award (2016), the Padma Shri for agriculture (2023), and the State’s first Oommen Chandy Memorial Agricultural Award (2025). He represented Kerala at international biodiversity conferences in Hyderabad (2011) and Brazil (2018).
Data & Statistics
- Variety count: Indian Express cites 55 distinct rice varieties; Hindustan Times notes “more than 45”; DowntoEarth records 50 traditional varieties plus 14 from elsewhere, totaling 64.
- Land use: All varieties were grown on three acres, divided into small plots.
- Annual cost: Raman estimated the upkeep of his seed bank at roughly Rs 70,000 per year.
- Seed exchange: Recipients received seeds free of charge but were required to return an equivalent harvest for the next season.
Official Statements & Responses
Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, expressed deep sadness and highlighted Raman’s role in preserving Adivasi knowledge. Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra recalled Raman’s personal warmth and his insistence that awards mean little until his people could improve their lives. Former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan called Raman a living embodiment of Kerala’s agricultural heritage and a loss to the entire state.
On-the-Ground Reports
Raman stored seeds in bamboo baskets inside his century-old mud house and stopped using chemical fertilizers in 1978 after observing soil degradation. His fields served as a learning space for students, researchers, and neighboring farmers, demonstrating the practical resilience of traditional landraces under varying water and climate conditions.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Age at death: Most outlets list 74; Indian Express reports 76.
- Number of varieties: Figures range from “more than 45” to 55 and 64, with no single source confirming a definitive total.
- Financial support: While Raman cited an annual cost of Rs 70,000, the extent of governmental or institutional assistance remains unclear.
Why It Matters / Impact
Raman’s seed bank preserved genetic traits such as drought tolerance, flood survival, and pest resistance—attributes valuable for climate-resilient agriculture. The loss of paddy fields in Wayanad to commercial crops has threatened these landraces, making community-led conservation crucial. His approach linked biodiversity preservation with cultural continuity, emphasizing that seed stewardship is inseparable from the livelihoods and knowledge systems of tribal farming communities. The absence of sustained institutional backing leaves the collection vulnerable after his death.
