Individuals across the country are rising to meet the challenges around them with courage, compassion, and determination. They push forward — not because it’s easy, but because it matters. In doing so, they leave a lasting impact.

In the ‘TBI Agri Changemakers’ space, this spirit comes alive in many ways — through fresh innovations, thoughtful revival of traditional practices, and everyday efforts. Each changemaker is crafting real solutions for real people.

As part of Optum Presents The Better India Showcase, supported by the M3M Foundation, we’re highlighting the work of five individuals in the TBI Agri Changemakers category whose work is changing the way we think, act, and care.

1. Cheruvayal Raman, Kerala

In Wayanad’s misty hills, where hybrid seeds began replacing native grains, Cheruvayal Raman stood his ground. A Kurichiya tribal farmer, he chose the difficult path: reviving and preserving 54 indigenous rice varieties through traditional organic methods. Every year, he distributes seeds to 250 farmers under a “seed return” model, ensuring the community cultivates and conserves heritage rice.

Over two decades, more than 5,000 farmers across Kerala have joined this quiet revolution. His ancestral fields, now a living gene bank, draw researchers, students, and fellow farmers from across India. For........

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