15/10/2026
Tributes to Cheruvayal Ramettan
Kerala’s “Father of Seeds,” Cheruvayal Ramettan, has left us.
He dedicated his life to preserving traditional rice varieties developed by generations of farmers through years of careful selection, varieties that are well adapted to the local climate and geographical conditions, and ensuring that they are passed on to future generations without being lost.
He cultivated and conserved numerous traditional Wayanad rice varieties, including Veliyan, Koduveliyan, Chettu Veliyan, Thondi, Palthondi, Gandhakasala, Jeerakasala, and Mullan Kayama, without any expectation of profit.
He preserved different rice varieties for different purposes—for preparing rice, porridge, flattened rice (aval), puffed rice (malar), payasam, snacks, and traditional medicines. He even kept varieties whose straw could be used for thatching roofs.
Ramettan has bid farewell to us, leaving behind a precious legacy of seeds.
Heartfelt tributes! 🙏