Sugandhasree Innovative Farmer Award

Shri Jomy Mathew

Born into a farming family in Ernakulam, Kerala, Shri Jomy Mathew pursued his passion for agriculture after completing his MBA in 1992. Facing limited opportunities for farm expansion in Kerala, he relocated to Karnataka's Shivamogga district. As a dedicated farmer, planter, and entrepreneur, he continuously innovates in his fields with new crops, technologies, and agricultural practices. His untiring work in black pepper cultivation, particularly in orthotropic shoot propagation, disease management, and post-harvest handling exemplifies successful farmer-led innovation that others have widely adopted. To mitigate market fluctuations and reduce crop vulnerability, he implemented a diverse multi-crop, multi-variety farming model. His farm now serves as an inspiration and a learning centre for aspiring farmers and agricultural entrepreneurs.     
 

Shri R. Ranjit Kumar

Shri R. Ranjit Kumar has transformed nutmeg cultivation in Pollachi, India, through sustainable farming practices and technological advancements. He was instrumental in the formation of the region's first Farmer Producer Company (FPC) focused on nutmeg. Shri. Kumar was instrumental in introducing scientific cultivation techniques and innovative practices that improved resilience against various stresses and elevated production standards. His efforts have positioned Pollachi nutmeg as a globally recognized spice commodity, enabling farmers to benefit from economies of scale in processing, value addition, and marketing. He also explored alternative uses of nutmeg byproducts and thereby enhanced the product portfolio which further helped in market expansion and revenue generation. Additionally, Kumar has played a pivotal role in building farmers' capacity to harness the full potential of the spice value chain.    
 

Shri. T. Joseph

An experienced nutmeg farmer, he has developed number of nutmeg varieties and evolved innovative methods, eco-friendly technologies that made nutmeg farming as successful and profit giving. He has been cultivating nutmeg crop with black pepper, ginger and turmeric and also encouraging other farmers by giving them nutmeg plants at nominal price. He renders farming guidance to other farmers very willingly.    
 

Shri. Ghanakanta Neog

Shri. Ghanakanta Neog from Eraloni Village, Namsai District, Arunachal Pradesh. His black pepper garden is the biggest available in the district and was selected as a Model Black Pepper garden by Spices Board. His black pepper garden is also the venue for various training programs aimed at promoting black pepper cultivation. His stupendous success in black pepper cultivation has paved the way for several farmers to venture into black pepper farming.

Shri. R. Thechamo Ovung

Shri. R. Thechamo Ovung from Lotsu Village, Wokha District, Nagaland became interested in spices cultivation when he was nominated to attend a seminar at Itanagar in Arunachal Pradesh during April, 2014. Subsequently he motivated other farmers to produce spices in large quantities to meet the demands of various buyers. Since then he has been cultivating crops such as ginger, turmeric, and cardamom and also encouraging other farmers by giving them seed ginger from his own produce free of cost. This has led to additional income generation of nine thousand rupees for individual farmers who were hardly getting two to three thousand rupees from the sale of vegetables.

Shri. Mathew Sebastian

Shri. Mathew Sebastian is a progressive and innovative farmer from Karuvarakkundu, Malappuram District of Kerala, who developed the first nutmeg variety IISR-Keralashree through farmers participatory breeding in collaboration with ICAR-Indian Institute of Spices Research, Kozhikode. He developed a modified training method for cultivation of nutmeg grafts. He is actively involved in production of planting materials of IISR-Keralashree and in organizing training programmes on production technology of nutmeg.

Shri. S.R. Sundararaman

Shri. S.R. Sundararaman, a progressive farmer from Sathyamangalam, Erode District of Tamil Nadu, who adopted innovative organic farming systems. He practises self reliant agriculture and brought out radical changes in management packages which are safe to the environment. He has standardized sustainable organic production system for turmeric and also involved in dissemination of his success in farming to fellow farmers in India and abroad.

Shri. K. R. Keshava

Shri. K. R. Keshava, from Kenjige Village, Mudigere, Chikmagalur District, Karnataka established a black pepper–coffee plantation and achieved very high productivity levels. He practices integrated nutrient and pest management schedules and has also adopted technologies for irrigation, shade regulation, and vermicomposting. He is involved in dissemination of his success to fellow coffee and black pepper growers by imparting training to youth and also organizing meetings with scientists and extension officers..