Rice conservator Deva Rao chosen for first Raithapeetha Award

SKF Elixer India Pvt. Ltd., Moodbidri, has chosen B.K. Deva Rao, winner of Plant Genome Saviour Farmers’ Reward for 2020-21 and conservator of over 300 varieties of rice/paddy, from Mittabagilu village, Belthangady taluk in Dakshina Kannada, for the first Raithapeetha Award.

The award carries ₹1 lakh in prize money. It will be presented to him at a function to be held at Gaudhama farm in Muniyal, Karkala taluk in Udupi district on February 20, 2026, according to G. Ramakrishna Achar, chairman of the company.

The company has instituted the annual award, starting from 2026, with the objective of ensuring that the country’s farmers receive due respect and that agricultural practices receive encouragement, Mr. Achar, an agricultural entrepreneur, said in a statement.

Despite the fact that paddy cultivation is declining in many parts of Dakshina Kannada, 81-year-old Mr. Rao has continued to protect several paddy varieties. “Mr. Rao has not only saved rare varieties that could have been lost to the passage of time for the sake of the next generation, but has also served as a role model for others in agriculture. To honour him and his noble life, we are conferring the first Raithapeetha Award to him,” Mr. Achar said.

The award presentation function will be attended by Adrushya Kadasiddheshwar Swami of Siddhagiri Mutt, Kolhapur, Maharashtra and Nijalingeshwar Swami of Nidasesi Duradundeshwar Siddhasamsthana Mutt, Belagavi.

The ‘Krishi Mandala’ programme, meant to create awareness on farm practices and encourage the young generation to take up farming, will be organised on the same day.

“In our country, a farmer should receive as much or even more respect than a software engineer, doctor, or businessman. An environment must be created for farmers to live with dignity. I have created a model farm called Gaudhama at Muniyalu to introduce agriculture to the children of the next generation,” he said.