Praveen and Thiruselvan
Praveen
Praveen always had a passion for farming, even though his land was not initially suitable for cultivation. However, that didn't discourage him from working on the farm. During weekends and school holidays, he would visit his grandmother's place, plant banana saplings from his friend's farm, sow vegetable seeds, provide support for climbing plants, and prepare the land for future plantations. As he grew older, he had the desire to develop his land but lacked the confidence and resources to begin. Driven by his passion, Praveen finally started developing the land in December 2014. Here's a glimpse of the progress from 2014 to June 2023.
@2014
@2023
The interests around traditional/organic farming practices:
Praveen have heard about traditional farming practices, but as far as he know, most crops were cultivated using chemical methods. However, there was a time when organic farming gained popularity, and a key person in spreading awareness about traditional farming techniques was Nammazvar. He had the opportunity to meet him in person on December 8, 2012.
@2012
As he read things happening around organic farming, happen to come across the book title, 'The One Straw Revolution' and this was the only book Praveen could remember that he has read end-to-end upon interests. If you would love to read books and have interests around farming, he would surely recommend you read this book. It is available at Amazon and Flipkart.
Hearing same story again and again:
Praveen would love to hear the stories around agriculture activities during the time his grandparents were active bread earners of the family. Whenever he gets a chance, he used to start the conversation with his grandfather and the way he narrates the story, he would love to hear, the same story again and again. Mostly on the agriculture practices and the way village functions and family functions were managed during those days.
IoT based precision farming:
Praveen combines his technical expertise with his passion for agriculture. He develops IoT based tools for precision farming, contributing to sustainable practices and addressing farmers challenges. The Proof of Concept (POC) for an automated irrigation system controlled via SMS was presented at a science exhibition in Coimbatore and received the runner-up award.
Thiruselvan
Thiru, also known as Thiruselvan, is a passionate individual who has always had a strong interest in agriculture and sustainable living. He was born and raised in the beautiful village of Vangal, situated near the Kaveri River in Karur, Tamil Nadu. Growing up in an agricultural family, Thiru developed a deep connection with nature and farming from an early age, which shaped his lifelong dedication to the field.
Being part of an agricultural family provided Thiru with valuable knowledge and hands-on experience in cultivating various crops. The fields around him were filled with coconut trees, banana plants, rice paddies, sugarcane, and different vegetables, creating a vibrant ecosystem. Alongside crop cultivation, Thiru's family also raised cows, goats, and hens, giving him a holistic understanding of sustainable living.
Driven by a thirst for knowledge and a desire to explore new possibilities, Thiru pursued higher education in computer science. His academic journey led him to complete a Ph.D. in Computer Science at NIT Trichy, showcasing his intellectual capabilities and his ability to merge his passion for agriculture with technological advancements.
With his extensive academic background and expertise, Thiru embarked on a career in academia. Currently, he serves as an Assistant Professor at a prestigious institution in Bangalore, where he contributes to shaping the minds of the next generation. His research and teachings focus on applying computer science and technology in agriculture, aiming to find innovative solutions that enhance productivity, sustainability, and efficiency in farming practices. Thiru has also collaborated with the Indian Institute of Horticultural Research in Bengaluru to develop a cost-effective controlled environment system for mushroom cultivation.
Although Thiru has transitioned from the lush fields of his village to the bustling cityscape of Bangalore, his unwavering commitment to agriculture and sustainable living remains strong. He continues to draw inspiration from his upbringing, combining traditional wisdom with contemporary knowledge to promote a harmonious relationship between technology and nature.
Outside of his professional pursuits, Thiru actively engages in various initiatives and endeavors to raise awareness about sustainable living and environmental conservation. He firmly believes that through education, innovation, and collective efforts, we can build a greener and more resilient future for future generations.