Dr. G. Nammalvar was the heart and soul of the Save Our Rice Campaign. From the very beginning in 2004, he stood with us—not just as a mentor but as a constant source of inspiration and unwavering support. His deep knowledge of traditional farming and his passion for reviving indigenous paddy varieties became the backbone of our movement. When we officially launched the Save Our Rice Campaign-India at the Indian Workshop on Rice in Kumbalangi, Nammalvar was right there with us. His presence energized the gathering, and his words gave us the courage to move forward.

For Nammalvar, farming was never just about growing crops. He believed that farming was a holistic way of living in harmony with nature—a philosophy he proved was possible even in the modern era. Rather than instructing farmers, he inspired them to understand their land and evolve their practices accordingly. Constantly learning from the farmers themselves, he refined and shared this collective knowledge, empowering countless farmers across Tamil Nadu and beyond to embrace sustainable and traditional practices.

He walked with us every step of the way—chairing sessions, reviewing our work, and reminding us of the bigger purpose. Through his simple, rustic, and heartfelt approach, he helped us bring back to life hundreds of traditional rice varieties that had been lost to the Green Revolution. His vision restored not just seeds but the dignity of farmers, food sovereignty, and health of the land. For us, he became more than a teacher—he was our Guru, our guiding light. His legacy continues to inspire us to protect our rice heritage and ensure safe, nutritious food for generations to come.

To recognize his contribution in promoting organic agriculture, the Tamil Nadu Agriculture University set up Nammalvar Organic Farming Research Centre at its campus.