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Mohammed Saifi

Inspirational Others

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Mohammed Saifi

Inspirational Others

The Success Story Of A Tribal Farmer

The Success Story Of A Tribal Farmer

2 mins
336


Cheruvayal is a serene village situated near Mananthavady in Wayanad. The village is caressed by the Kabani River. Cheruvayal is today famous in the name of Cheruvayal Raman, a farmer from the village. Cheruvayal is not just a beautiful village but is gifted with hardworking farmers and skilled artisans.

Cheruvayal Raman has been feted for his contributions to conservation of traditional varieties of rice. This tribal farmer has succeeded in protecting genetic diversity of rice by conserving nearly 52 varieties.

However, not many know that he was not even 10 when he started helping his uncle, also named Raman, in the fields and understanding the five varieties of rice they had been cultivating traditionally.

Cheruvayal Raman received the Genome Saviour Award in 2013 from the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers' Rights Authority (PPVFRA), for preserving varieties of indigenous rice. Rice researchers all over the world hail him as India's "living paddy gene bank." He was even invited to an international symposium in Brazil.

But nearly 10 years after getting the award, the almost 70-year-old tribal farmer is uncertain if his collection of indigenous seeds will be preserved. After several health setbacks, it is unclear who will look after his seed collection in future.

For Cheruvayal Raman who is very rightly known as "The Custodian of Rice"...

Rice is Food

Rice is Tradition

Rice is Livelihood

Rice is Respect 

Rice is Relationship 

Rice is Environment 

Rice is Knowledge 

Rice is Love!


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