G. Nammalvar (75), organic farming scientist and crusader, died at Pichinikadu village near Pattukottai on Monday night.

Born at Elankadu village near Thiruvaiyaru in 1938, he graduated in agriculture from Annamalai University. In 1963, he joined as an officer in the Agricultural Regional Research Centre, Kovilpatti.

Later he served as an agronomist in Island Peace, an organisation founded by Nobel Laureate R.P. Dominic Pyre. All his life, he championed the cause of natural farming. Gandhigram Rural University honoured him with a doctorate.

A crusader against genetically modified crops, he was spearheading the movement against proposed methane project in Cauvery delta districts.

This article has been corrected for a typographical error.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National / Tamil Nadu / by Special Correspondent / Thanjavur – December 31st, 2013