Sathyanarayana Beleri

Sathyanarayana Beleri
Born	Nettinge, Bellur Grama Panchayat, Kasaragod district, Kerala, India
Nationality	Indian
Occupation(s)	Farmer; paddy conservator
Known for	Maintaining a gene pool of 650+ traditional rice varieties; on-farm conservation of paddy diversity
Awards	Plant Genome Savior Farmer Reward (2018–19) Padma Shri (2024)

Sathyanarayana Beleri is a farmer and also a paddy conservator of Nettinge village in Bellur Gramapanchayath in Kasaragod district in Kerala. ^{[1] [2]} After completing his secondary education, he took up farming and has since developed a collection of more than 650 traditional rice varieties, which he maintains through cultivation and preservation methods developed on his farm.

In recognition of his contribution to the conservation of agricultural biodiversity, the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers' Rights Authority, under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India, awarded him the Plant Genome Savior Farmer Reward for 2018–19. ^[1] In 2024, he received the Padma Shri, one of India’s highest civilian honours, for his work in the field of agriculture. ^{[3] [4]}

The rice varieties preserved by Beleri include Chitteni, Akrikaaya, Narikela, Suggi kayame, Vellatuven, Gandhasaale, Jeerige Sanna, Ghangadale, Kumkumsaale, Kalame, Kottambarasaale, Karigajavile, Raajamudi, Jugal Kagga, Karijeddu, Parambu Ucchan, Mysooru mallige.

References

1. "Plant Genome Saviour Award". coapad.kau.in. College of Agriculture, Padannakkad. Retrieved 28 January 2024.
2. Ullasa M Y. "Saving heirloom paddy varieties". www.deccanherald.com. Deccan Herald. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
3. George Poikayil (26 January 2024). "One man genebank: Kasaragod farmer who conserves 650 rice varieties to get Padma Shri". ONmanorama. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
4. Deepthy Sanjiv (25 January 2024). "Padma Shri Award comes with more responsibility: Beleri". Times of India. Retrieved 29 January 2024.