Kerala State Farm Awards announced, Cheruvayal Raman wins first Oommen Chandy memorial award for contributions to farm sector
Anitha M. Kasim of Fathimapuram, Changanassery, selected as the best ‘Urban rooftop farmer,’ another new award included on the list of 38 award categories
Cheruvayal K. Raman, affectionately known as the "guardian of native paddy," has been chosen for the inaugural Oommen Chandy memorial award in recognition of his exceptional contributions to Kerala's agricultural sector. Agriculture Minister T. Siddique made the announcement during the unveiling of the 2025 Kerala State Farm Awards in Thiruvananthapuram on August 9, 2026.
This prestigious award comes with a ₹5 lakh cash prize, a citation, and a plaque. Reflecting on his selection, the septuagenarian Mr. Raman, hailing from the tribal community in Wayanad district, expressed his delight at receiving the honor named after the late Congress leader and former Chief Minister. Mr. Raman, who was awarded the Padma Shri in 2023 for his work in sustainable agriculture and biodiversity preservation, emphasized the importance of promoting farming and supporting farmers.
Anitha M. Kasim of Fathimapuram, Changanassery, emerged as the winner of the new award for the best 'Urban rooftop farmer.' Raja Narayanan of Thiruvilwamala, Thrissur, claimed the Sibi Kallingal memorial 'Karshakoththama' award. Shajahan V.Y. was recognized as the best 'organic farmer.' The Koduvally block panchayat and the Ullikkal grama panchayat jointly received the ₹5 lakh C. Achutha Menon memorial award for local bodies actively involved in agriculture.
Krishi Bhavan, Kuttoor, Pathanamthitta, was honored with the V.V. Raghavan memorial award for being the best Krishi Bhavan. The Nenmeni Paadasekhara Samiti in Kollengode, Palakkad, was awarded the K. Viswanathan (Mitra Niketan) memorial 'Nelkathir' prize. Haseena Bhaskar, Professor and Principal Investigator at Kerala Agricultural University, Mannuthy, won the M.S.
Swaminathan Award for agricultural research. Other notable awards include 'Kerakesari' for K.K. Xavier from Chakkitapara, Kozhikode; the award for tribal settlements for heritage farming and seed conservation to Gottiyarkandi Unnathi from Palakkad; the best young farmer prize for Hashiq K. from Pozhuthana, Wayanad; Haritha Mithra for Rejeesh K. from Taliparamba, Kannur; hi-tech farmer for Pushpahas P. from Chithara, Kollam; Karshakajyothi to Kishore V. from Kadaplamattam, Kottayam; beekeeper for Aneesh K.P. from Wandoor, Malappuram; Karshakathilakam to Savithri K. from Pulloor-Periya, Kasaragod; and mushroom farmer for Sachin G. Pai from Ballal, Kasaragod.
Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan will present the awards on August 17, 2026 (Chingam 1) at Kalamassery.
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