Kochi: Monu Varghese Mammen, a 38-year-old farmer from Veliyathumalil in Elanji, Ernakulam district, has been chosen for the Malayala Manorama Karshakashri Award 2026, one of Kerala’s most prestigious honours recognising excellence in agriculture.
The biennial award, instituted by Karshakasree, the agricultural magazine of Malayala Manorama, includes a cash prize of ₹3 lakh, a certificate, and a gold medallion. The award will be presented to Monu during the Karshakasree Farm Fest, scheduled to be held in Thrissur in February 2026, Malayala Manorama Managing Editor Jacob Mathew announced.
Monu is the 18th recipient of the Karshakashri Award. This year, the selection process saw 117 nominations, of which 19 farmers were shortlisted for field inspection after preliminary screening. Following detailed evaluation by a panel comprising agricultural experts and members of the Karshakasree editorial board, five finalists were selected, with Monu emerging as the award winner.
The other finalists for the award were M.K. Purushothaman of Sultan Bathery in Wayanad, K. Saseendran of Vengappally in Wayanad, T.V. Rajanarayanan of Thiruvilwamala in Thrissur, and C.D. Raveendran Nair of Vandanmedu in Idukki. As part of the final evaluation, the expert panel revisited the shortlisted farms, prepared detailed video documentation, and recorded their observations before submitting the reports to the jury.
The five-member jury, chaired by T. Nandakumar, former Union Agriculture Secretary and former Chairman of the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) and the Spices Board, unanimously selected Monu as the award winner. The jury also included P. Indiradevi, former Director of Research at Kerala Agricultural University; Madhura Swaminathan, Professor at the Economic Analysis Unit of the Indian Statistical Institute, Bengaluru; B. Ashok, State Agriculture Production Commissioner; and Jacob Mathew, Managing Editor of Malayala Manorama.
In its citation, the jury praised Monu’s “innovative and consistent efforts to enhance productivity and profitability,” noting that he has effectively integrated technology, marketing strategies, financial management, and diversification to make farming economically sustainable.
When natural rubber prices crashed, Monu, along with his mother Valsa, decided to diversify their 20-acre rubber plantation, turning adversity into opportunity. In 2019, he set up a dairy unit that soon developed into a model enterprise, distinguished by its adoption of technology-driven milking systems, low-cost climate-controlled cattle sheds, and mechanised farm management practices.
Monu also devised his own total balanced ration formula and successfully reduced the inter-calving period through scientific breeding and improved herd management. These interventions significantly enhanced both productivity and farm income.
Expanding further into value addition, Monu exceeded expectations by launching an ice cream business that actively involved his wife, Niss, and sister, Meenu, creating a strong example of women-led entrepreneurship. Over time, the family farm was revitalised through the introduction of new crops, diversified farming systems, and the integration of modern technologies.
The jury also noted innovative initiatives such as setting up a poultry unit within rubber plantations and sustained efforts to minimise urea usage in paddy cultivation, underscoring Monu’s commitment to sustainable agriculture.
“He stands as a role model for young, educated farmers who are willing to adopt technology to make agriculture both sustainable and profitable,” the jury observed.
FAQs: Malayala Manorama Karshakashri Award 2026
Who won the Malayala Manorama Karshakashri Award 2026?
Monu Varghese Mammen, a 38-year-old farmer from Veliyathumalil in Elanji, Ernakulam district, has won the Malayala Manorama Karshakashri Award 2026.
What is the Karshakashri Award?
The Karshakashri Award is one of Kerala’s most prestigious honours recognising excellence in agriculture. It is a biennial award instituted by Karshakasree, the agricultural magazine of Malayala Manorama.
What does the Karshakashri Award carry?
The award includes a cash prize of ₹3 lakh, a certificate, and a gold medallion.
When and where will the award be presented?
The award will be conferred during the Karshakasree Farm Fest in Thrissur in February 2026.
How many farmers were considered for the Karshakashri Award 2026?
A total of 117 nominations were received this year. After preliminary screening, 19 farmers were shortlisted for field inspections, and five finalists were selected.
Who were the other finalists?
The other finalists were:
M.K. Purushothaman (Sultan Bathery, Wayanad)
K. Saseendran (Vengappally, Wayanad)
T.V. Rajanarayanan (Thiruvilwamala, Thrissur)
C.D. Raveendran Nair (Vandanmedu, Idukki)
Who headed the Karshakashri Award jury?
The jury was chaired by T. Nandakumar, former Union Agriculture Secretary and former Chairman of the NDDB and the Spices Board.
Who were the other jury members?
The jury members included:
P. Indiradevi, former Director of Research, Kerala Agricultural University
Madhura Swaminathan, Professor, Indian Statistical Institute, Bengaluru
B. Ashok, State Agriculture Production Commissioner
Jacob Mathew, Managing Editor, Malayala Manorama
Why was Monu Varghese Mammen selected?
The jury cited Monu’s innovative and consistent efforts to improve productivity and profitability, highlighting his successful integration of technology, marketing, financial management, and diversification in farming.
What kind of farming does Monu practise?
Monu diversified his 20-acre rubber plantation after a crash in rubber prices. His farming model includes dairy farming, diversified cropping, poultry integration, and value addition.
When did Monu start his dairy enterprise?
He established a dairy unit in 2019, which later evolved into a model enterprise using technology-driven milking systems, climate-controlled sheds, and mechanised management.
What innovations did Monu introduce in dairy farming?
Monu developed his own total balanced ration formula, reduced the inter-calving period, and adopted scientific breeding and herd management, significantly boosting income and productivity.
How did Monu add value to farm produce?
Monu launched an ice cream business involving his wife Niss and sister Meenu, creating a successful example of women-led rural entrepreneurship.
What sustainable practices did the jury highlight?
The jury noted initiatives such as:
Poultry farming within rubber plantations
Efforts to reduce urea usage in paddy cultivation
Adoption of eco-friendly and sustainable farming techniques
Why is Monu considered a role model?
According to the jury, Monu represents a new generation of young, educated farmers who are willing to adopt technology to make agriculture sustainable, profitable, and future-ready.
