UP farmer Raghupat Singh posthumously awarded Padma Shri
Raghupat Singh, fondly called "Krishi Pandit," was posthumously honored with the Padma Shri in 2026 for his lifelong commitment to farming and biodiversity.
Over six decades, he mentored nearly three lakh farmers and became a guiding light for sustainable agriculture.
Singh passed away in July 2025 at age 85.
Who was Raghupat Singh?
Born in Samathal village (Bilari tehsil, Moradabad), Singh started with just a patch of land and grew into a pioneer of eco-friendly farming.
He brought back over 55 rare vegetable species, created around 100 new crop varieties—including a bottle gourd noted for its exceptional size—and taught natural methods like seed saving and organic pest control.
By blending traditional wisdom with modern science, he helped farmers reduce dependency on expensive chemical inputs and boost their crops.