Farm Awards Cheruvayal Raman Wins Oommen Chandy Memorial
Kerala State Farm Awards were announced on Sunday, August 9, 2026, by Agriculture Minister T. Siddique in Thiruvananthapuram, highlighting a range of achievements across the state’s agricultural sector.
Cheruvayal K. Raman receives inaugural Oommen Chandy memorial award
The first Oommen Chandy memorial award for outstanding contributions was presented to Cheruvayal K. Raman, a septuagenarian from the Wayanad tribal community. Known locally as the “guardian of native paddy,” he was honored for preserving biodiversity and promoting sustainable practices. The honor includes a cash prize of ₹5 lakh, a citation and a plaque. In a statement to the outlet, Raman expressed gratitude for being recognized under the name of the former chief minister, noting that such acknowledgment encourages both farming and farmers.
Other notable winners among 38 categories
Among the new categories, Anitha M. Kasim from Fathimapuram, Changanassery, earned the title of best “Urban rooftop farmer.” Raja Narayanan of Thiruvilwamala, Thrissur, secured the Sibi Kallingal memorial “Karshakoththama” award, while Shajahan V.Y. was named the best “organic farmer.” Local bodies also featured: the Koduvally block panchayat and the Ullikkal grama panchayat shared the ₹5 lakh C. Achutha Menon memorial award for community farming initiatives.
The Krishi Bhavan in Kuttoor, Pathanamthitta, was selected for the V.V. Raghavan memorial award, recognizing the best departmental office. The K. Viswanathan (Mitra Niketan) memorial “Nelkathir” award went to the Nenmeni Paadasekhara Samiti in Kollengode, Palakkad. Haseena Bhaskar, a professor at Kerala Agricultural University, Mannuthy, received the M.S. Swaminathan Award for agricultural research.
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Additional honors included the “Kerakesari” award to K.K. Xavier of Chakkitapara, Kozhikode, and a prize for tribal settlements dedicated to heritage farming awarded to Gottiyarkandi Unnathi, Palakkad. Young talent was recognized with the best young farmer award given to Hashiq K. of Pozhuthana, Wayanad. Winners ranged from Pushpahas P. in Kollam to Sachin G. Pai in Kasaragod, covering hi‑tech farming, beekeeping, mushroom cultivation and more.
Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan is slated to present the full slate of awards on August 17, aligning with the first day of the Malayalam month Chingam, at a ceremony in Kalamassery.
These recognitions reinforce agriculture’s role in Kerala’s economy.
