Raghupat Singh, a veteran farmer from Moradabad who revived over 55 rare and nearly extinct vegetables and developed around 100 crop varieties to strengthen biodiversity and farmers’ incomes, has been posthumously awarded the Padma Shri in 2026.
Raghupat Singh, widely known in Uttar Pradesh’s agricultural circles as “Krishi Pandit”, has been honoured with one of India’s highest civilian awards – the Padma Shri – posthumously for his outstanding contributions to sustainable farming, seed conservation, and crop diversity.
The Government of India announced the Padma Awards for 2026 on Republic Day, recognising individuals from diverse fields whose work has had enduring social impact.
Among four farmers receiving the Padma Shri this year, Singh’s name stood out for his unparalleled work in reviving vegetable varieties that had virtually disappeared from the Indian agricultural landscape.
Born and raised in Samathal village of Bilari tehsil, Moradabad district, Singh committed more than six decades to agriculture, farming on just a few hectares of land but leaving a far-reaching legacy.
His passion was not merely to grow crops but to rescue biodiversity – collecting, enhancing and reintroducing seeds that had been abandoned in the wake of modern, high-input agriculture.
Over time, he developed roughly 100 improved crop varieties and brought back more than 55 rare and nearly extinct vegetable species to field and kitchen gardens, deeply influencing food diversity across rural India.
His methods emphasised weather-based and natural farming practices, helping farmers reduce dependency on expensive chemical inputs while improving soil health and yields. Singh’s approach was practical and grounded in deep local understanding, blending traditional wisdom with targeted experimentation that suited local agro-ecological conditions.
Although he was not a laboratory scientist, his work resembled grassroots research that intersected with scientific principles earning him respect from both farmers and agricultural professionals.
Seeds of Impact: Biodiversity, Livelihoods and Recognition
Singh’s contribution to Indian agriculture extended beyond seed preservation. Over the years, he became a mentor and trainer to nearly three lakh farmers, sharing his insights on seed saving, crop diversification and resilient farming systems.
Farmers recall him travelling from village to village, free-spiritedly teaching seed selection, intercropping, organic pest management and other time-tested practices that countered the vulnerabilities of smallholder farming.
His work helped communities improve food security, nutritional diversity and incomes at a time when many small farmers struggled with debt and input costs.
Officials involved in the Padma Awards selection process highlighted not only the breadth of Singh’s work but also its depth in promoting sustainable agriculture – a priority for India in the face of climate change and ecological degradation.
A statement from the Government of India noted that his lifelong efforts “strengthened agricultural biodiversity, preserved indigenous crop resources and enhanced farm resilience.”
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also congratulated all 2026 awardees, acknowledging Singh’s work in conserving agricultural heritage alongside contributions in arts, science and public welfare.
Singh received many accolades during his lifetime, including 11 national awards for agricultural innovation and community service.
In 2019, he was honoured with the N. G. Ranga Farmer Award for Diversified Agriculture for his pioneering work in developing vegetable varieties, including unusually long bottle gourd types and refined rajma (kidney bean) strains, which drew attention at agricultural fairs and seed shows.
Family, Continuity and Modern Relevance
Although Raghupat Singh passed away on 1 July 2025, at about 85 years of age, his legacy does not end with his death. Family members especially his son Surendra Pal Singh and his siblings continue to maintain his seed bank and training programmes, extending his principles to new generations of farmers.
They have sustained his practice of seed refinement and distribution, combining traditional knowledge with fresh ideas to face contemporary farming challenges.
In recent years, the global agricultural community has increasingly emphasised the importance of on-farm biodiversity as a bulwark against climate change and market volatility. India’s own policy frameworks, such as campaigns to strengthen seed systems and farmer-led conservation, align with the kind of work Singh championed at the grassroots.
His story is often compared with other Indian seed conservators like Cheruvayal K. Raman of Kerala, who also received the Padma Shri for similar work in rice variety conservation, underscoring an emerging recognition of farmers as custodians of genetic diversity.
Beyond policy circles, Singh’s influence is visible in how farming communities think about seeds: not just as commodities to be bought, but as heritage to be preserved and shared. In farmers’ markets and seed exchanges across northern India, his name is evoked alongside discussions on climate-resilient agriculture and community seed sovereignty.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Raghupat Singh’s life and work offer more than an inspiring tale of individual perseverance. They point to a broader vision of agriculture that values diversity, resilience and equitable access to resources.
In a world grappling with climate uncertainty, ecological loss, and concentrated seed markets dominated by a few corporations, his commitment to farmer-driven innovation and biodiversity conservation suggests an alternative path one rooted in local knowledge, cooperation, and ecological respect.
The Padma Shri awarded to Singh is not just a celebration of past achievements but a call to honour and empower the silent custodians of our food systems.
It reminds us that innovation can thrive outside labs and universities – in fields tended by generations of farmers whose wisdom is embedded in every seed they save.
