Scaria Pillai C.J., of Nallepilli, Palakkad, has won the 2024 State-level Sibi Kallingal Memorial Karshakothama Award for the best farmer instituted by the State government.
The award carries a cash prize of ₹2 lakh. Minister for Agriculture P. Prasad announced the 2024 State Farm Awards here on Wednesday. The awards were given in 46 categories this year.
Vani V., of Danappadi in Harippad, Alappuzha district, has won the ‘Karshakathilakam’ award for the best woman farmer. The award carries ₹1 lakh. The award for the best farmer in the transgender category, introduced for the first time, went to Vinodini of Njakkanal, Krishnapuram, Alappuzha.
Varghese Thomas of Vechoochira, Pathanamthitta, won the award in the differently-abled farmer category, while Cicil Chandran B.C. of Kulathur, Thiruvananthapuram, won the State award for the best hi-tech farmer. Fuselage Innovation Pvt Ltd at the KINFRA Hi-Tech Park, Kalamassery won the award for the best start-up.
The Meenangadi grama panchayat has won the C. Achutha Menon memorial award for local bodies for agricultural excellence. The award carries ₹10 lakh in cash prize. The V.V. Raghavan award carrying ₹5 lakh for the best Krishi Bhavan went to the Krishi Bhavan at Thanaloor, Malappuram. The Thumbidi Karippayi Paadasekhara Nellulpadaka Samithi, Elavanchery, Palakkad, won the ₹3 lakh K. Vishwanathan (Mitra Niketan) memorial Nelkathir Award.
Ramlath Alhad of Edathala, Ernakulam, won the best organic farmer award, Monu Varghese Mammen of Elanji, Ernakulam, won the best young farmer award, and R. Sivadasan, the Haritha Mithra award. Rahul N.V. (Monsoon Mushrooms) of Chavassery, Kannur, was adjudged the best mushroom farmer, and Umarali Shihab T.A., the best apiculturist.
Abbannur Ooru, Puthur, Palakkad, stood first among tribal communities engaged in organic farming.
Minimol J.S., professor and head, Cocoa Research Centre, Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikara, won the M.S. Swaminthan award for agricultural research.
The awards will be presented at the Farmers’ Day celebrations in Thrissur on August 17 (Chingam 1).
Published – August 13, 2025 04:53 pm IST