Agricultural Scientist R Heli passes away

Prominent agronomist R Heli, who was the founder of farm journalism in Kerala, has passed away. He was behind the programs like ‘Vayalum Veedum’ on All India Radio and Nattinpuram on Doordarshan’.

He has authored several articles and books on agriculture. He was the first Principal Information Officer of the Farm Information Bureau. He was one of the early editors of Kerala Karshakan Magazine.

The ‘Kerala Karshakan’ magazine published a bi-weekly with his support. He was a prominent figure who had a decisive influence in bringing agriculture into the mainstream of society. Heli, a former director of the Department of Agriculture, was a member of the Kerala Agricultural Policy Committee.

He has served as a Junior Officer in the Rubber Board, Agricultural Inspector in the Thirukochi Agriculture Department and Agricultural Extension Officer in Mallappally.