Now Reading: Cheruvayal Raman wins first Oommen Chandy Memorial Farm Award
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Cheruvayal Raman wins first Oommen Chandy Memorial Farm Award
Cheruvayal Raman, the Padma Shri-winning tribal farmer from Wayanad known as the 'guardian of native paddy,' has been chosen for the first Oommen Chandy Memorial Farmer Award. Agriculture Minister T. Siddique announced…
The Story in Brief
Cheruvayal Raman, the Padma Shri-winning tribal farmer from Wayanad known as the 'guardian of native paddy,' has been chosen for the first Oommen Chandy Memorial Farmer Award. Agriculture Minister T. Siddique announced the award in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday. It carries a cash prize of Rs 5 lakh.
Anitha M. Kasim won the top prize in the new Urban Rooftop Farmer category among 38 award categories. The C. Achutha Menon Memorial Award for local bodies was shared by Koduvally block panchayat and Ullikkal grama panchayat, each receiving Rs 5 lakh. Chief Minister V. D. Satheesan will present the awards on August 17 at Kalamassery.
The Indian Opinion
Awards like these rightly celebrate individual grit, but they must not become a substitute for systemic support. Cheruvayal Raman's decades of conserving native paddy deserve applause. Yet the real test is whether the state follows up with land rights, market access, and credit for tribal farmers. The new 'Krishi Sakhi' project for women farmers is a welcome step, but how many such schemes actually reach the last mile?
Sources (2): thehindu.com, newindianexpress.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the 2 sources linked above.
Updated: this story now draws on 2 sources.
