BHUBANESWAR: Radha Mohan, a pioneer of organic farming and former Odisha information commissioner, died at a private hospital here late on Thursday night.
He was 78.
A Padma Shri awardee, Radha Mohan had bronchial asthma and other comorbidities, doctors who treated him said.
He leaves behind three daughters.
Radha Mohan, who retired as principal of SCS College, Puri and his daughter Sabarmatee got Padma Shri last year in the field of agriculture in recognition of their organic farming and seed conservation.
More than three decades ago the father-daughter duo had sown the seed of organic farming and seed conservation in one acre in their native Nayagarh district.
It has now become a state-wide movement.
The one-acre has transformed into 890-acre with a rich collection of over 800 varieties of seeds.
Their organization Sambhav is a known resource centre for organic farming.
Expressing grief over his death, Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted, “Prof Radhamohan Ji was deeply passionate about agriculture, especially adopting sustainable and organic practices.
He was also respected for his knowledge on subjects relating to the economy and ecology.
Saddened by his demise.
Condolences to his family and admirers.
Om Shanti.” Governor Ganeshi Lal, chief minister Naveen Patnaik, Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan, among others expressed condolences to the bereaved family.
“He will always be remembered for his unique organic farming techniques,” a tweet by the governor’s office attributed the governor as saying.
Chief minister Naveen Patnaik described Radha Mohan as a noted environmentalist and an educationist.
Born in 1943, Radha Mohan did his graduation in Economics from SCS College in Puri and post-graduation in applied economics from Utkal University in 1965.
He was appointed an information commissioner in 2011.