Name : KJ Benny
District & State : Idukki, Kerala
Category : Plant varieties
Award : National
Award Function : 6th National Grassroots Innovation Awards
Award Year : 2012
Innovation Description
- Award Status
- IPR Status
- Technical Specification
- Salient Features
- MVIF
- Vard
K.J. Benny, a farmer from Idukki district of Kerala, has developed an improved variety of cardamom named “Elarajan”. This variety is a Vazhukka type with characteristic uniform bold capsules of about 9 mm size (80-90 %) with high yield.
Originally hailing from Kottayam from an agricultural family, K J Benny (45) grows cash crops like pepper and cardamom. As a child, every day in the morning and evening, he joined his father and brother while they worked in their fields. Being an average performing student, he decided to involve himself fully in agriculture after higher secondary. His family includes his wife who is a teacher in a secondary school and two sons. His wife also finds time to help him in his agricultural works and supports him wholeheartedly. Both his sons, though quite young, also show keen interest in agriculture. He believes agriculture to be the best livelihood option where hard work is a must. Benny’s mantra for successful life is ‘Success lies in hard work’. All his achievements and innovations are the products of this belief and attitude.
http://nif.org.in/innovation/improved_variety_of_cardamom_named_Elarajan/456