Dr. Rajaram Tripathi, the renowned organic farmer who carved a new chapter of success in the red soil of Bastar, will be felicitated with the “Hamar Gaurav Award” by the Bastar Regional Gramin Bank Retirees’ Association.
The felicitation ceremony will take place on November 9, 2025, at Hotel Anandan, Kanker, in the presence of retired and serving officials of the erstwhile Bastar Regional Gramin Bank, now merged into Chhattisgarh Gramin Bank.
Dr. Tripathi began his career as a Manager in the Bastar Regional Gramin Bank (sponsored by the State Bank of India). During his tenure, he closely observed the challenges of rural livelihoods and the plight of farmers. His deep concern for grassroots issues led him to take a bold decision, resigning from his secure banking post to dedicate himself to organic and medicinal plant cultivation.
That life-changing decision not only transformed his own destiny but also became a guiding light for thousands of farmers across India.
From Bastar to the World: A Journey of Green Innovation
At his farm in Kondagaon, Bastar, Dr. Tripathi pioneered the organic cultivation of several rare and endangered medicinal and spice crops such as black pepper, safed musli, annatto (sindoor), ashwagandha, shatavari, and tulsi.
Under his mentorship, hundreds of farmers in the tribal belts of central India have adopted herbal and spice cultivation as a profitable and sustainable livelihood. He not only cultivates but also provides training, planting material, and market linkage support to small and marginal farmers.
One of his most celebrated innovations is the development of India’s highest-yielding black pepper variety, ‘Maa Danteshwari Black Pepper-16 (MDBP-16)’, officially registered with the Government of India. This variety produces up to four times the yield of conventional pepper and can thrive even in hotter regions, opening new opportunities for farmers nationwide.
National and International Recognition
Dr. Rajaram Tripathi’s pioneering work and commitment have earned him numerous national and international honours, including the National Agriculture Award, Krishi Ratna, Global Organic Farming Award, and several others.
He has represented India on global platforms such as the United Nations (UNO), Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), where he highlighted the role of traditional and tribal farming wisdom in sustainable agriculture.
He is appointed as a Member of the National Medicinal Plants Board, Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India, and the Agricultural Machinery Committee, Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), Government of India. He is also the Founder and Chairperson of the Central Herbal Agro Marketing Federation of India (CHAMF) and the National Convenor of the Akhil Bharatiya Kisan Mahasangh (AIFA).
Through these organizations, he has successfully united thousands of herbal growers and organic farmers across India, creating direct rural-to-market linkages and ensuring fair trade for tribal communities.
A Ceremony to Honour Inspiration
The upcoming “Hamar Gaurav Award” ceremony will also serve as a nostalgic reunion for retired officers and employees of the former Bastar Regional Gramin Bank. Senior officials from Chhattisgarh Gramin Bank, retired staff, and farmers from across the region will participate in this grand event.
The association’s gesture to honour one of its own, a banker-turned-global-agro-leader, reflects deep pride in Bastar’s contribution to India’s organic and herbal revolution.
A Journey that Inspires Generations
Dr. Tripathi’s life exemplifies how courage, innovation, and compassion can redefine success. From a bank officer serving rural farmers to an internationally recognized advocate of sustainable agriculture, his journey stands as a testament to the transformative power of dedication and visionary action.
His mission continues to inspire policymakers, environmentalists, and farmers alike to believe that true prosperity begins with the soil.
