Success Story: R. Narasimman of Trichy district, Tamil Nadu, achieved what millions of farmers today aspire to. Once a corporate employee, Narasimman embraced farming in 1998, dreaming of a peaceful and self-sufficient life. His beginnings were humble, but through continuous learning, he transformed farming into a modern and sustainable model that is now being appreciated nationwide.

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Leaving his job and starting a new journey in farming

During his corporate career, Narasimman had decided that his next phase of life would be spent surrounded by nature. With this vision, he returned to his farm and began cultivating Alphonso mangoes. Monoculture yielded substantial profits in the initial years, but weather risks and market fluctuations revealed its weaknesses. This instability inspired him to diversify his farming.

A Three-Tier Agroforestry Model Opens New Avenues

After extensive study and experimentation, Narasimman developed a three-tier model that maximises the use of every inch of land. The top layer is planted with trees like teak, red sandalwood, and silver oak, which offer high long-term returns. The second layer is dedicated to annual income-producing crops like mango, banana, and watermelon. The third layer is dedicated to pulses and seasonal crops. Approximately 25,000 silver oak trees alone generate an additional income of 10-15 lakh rupees per year.

The Courage to Adopt a Completely Organic Farming

In 2008, he shifted his entire farm to an organic model. The 16 indigenous cows on the farm are his main source of manure. This organic manure nourishes the soil and reduces costs. A solar-powered drip irrigation system and a 700-square-foot solar dryer make the farm completely sustainable. An example of his organic efforts is the record watermelon he grew in 2010, weighing 35.75 kg, which was sold for Rs 5,000 and made him a topic of discussion in the national media.

National Recognition and Awards

Narasimman’s farm has been adopted as a model by several institutions. This ecosystem can store rainwater, manage natural pests, and last for 20 years without additional intervention. He has been honoured with over 60 awards from various organisations, from NITI Aayog to the Indian Chamber of Food and Agriculture. His farm has now become a living laboratory for students from the BSc to PhD levels.

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New Directions for the Future: Wood and Agri-Tourism

Narasimman is now working with the Indian Forest Genetics Institute on the commercial production of indigenous wood species. His dream is to make India independent of wood imports. He believes that if every farmer plants ten trees every year, the country could virtually eliminate wood imports in the next ten years. They also plan to develop agri-tourism so that urban residents can understand this model up close. They believe that soil is a bank account and trees are a future pension. Their next generation is also taking an interest in this model.