The NSL Group mourns the passing of Sri Mandava Venkatramaiah, the visionary founder of Nuziveedu Seeds Limited, who left for his heavenly abode today.
Born on 19th January, 1931, in Chiluvuru village, Guntur District, to Sri M. Subbaiah and Smt. M. Sukavani, Sri Venkatramaiah hailed from a humble farming family. His life was dedicated to the service of farmers and the advancement of Indian agriculture.
After completing his graduation in Agriculture from Banaras Hindu University and post-graduation with a specialization in Agronomy from B.R. College, Agra, he joined the Government of India as a Class I officer in the Agmark Department, Ministry of Agriculture. His pioneering efforts in grading agricultural produce empowered farmers to realize better prices for their crops.
In Andhra Pradesh, he played a decisive role in branding and marketing Flue Cured Virginia (FCV) Tobacco, earning him the affectionate title “Society Venkatramaiah” among the farming community of Ongole and surrounding areas. Later, during his tenure with the Tobacco Board, Ministry of Commerce, he revolutionized the marketing system by introducing open auctions that guaranteed timely payments to farmers, protecting them from exploitative practices.
Driven by a passion to work closely with his roots, he ventured into large-scale cotton farming and seed production. This humble beginning laid the foundation for Nuziveedu Seeds Limited, which went on to become India’s largest seed company and a household name in the agricultural sector.
Beyond business, Sri Venkatramaiah was deeply committed to philanthropy. His contributions include rebuilding blocks of educational institutions, supporting rural girls’ education, developing community temples, and creating a model Hindu cremation ground in South Coastal Andhra Pradesh. His initiatives have inspired many and continue to serve society.
A man of vision, integrity, and compassion, Sri Venkatramaiah’s lifelong mission was to empower farmers by providing quality inputs, fair pricing, and timely support. His legacy lives on through the countless farmers whose lives he touched, and through his family – his wife Smt. Ramadevi, two sons, and a daughter.
On this solemn occasion, the NSL family and agricultural fraternity express their deepest condolences. His demise marks the end of an era, but his pioneering spirit and humanitarian values will continue to inspire generations to come.
May his noble soul rest in peace.
