Pursuing Agricultural Venture: A New Chapter for IIT Couple Following Abandonment of Well-Paid US Careers
In the heart of India, Madhya Pradesh, a transformative story unfolds. Sakshi Bhatia and Arpit Maheshwari, IIT graduates, left their tech and finance jobs in the US to embrace a new life in sustainable farming.
Their journey began in December 2024, when they traded the fast-paced world of technology for the rhythm of the fields. Their lives in the US were fulfilling, but a longing for a connection with nature led them to change careers and pursue sustainable farming.
With no prior agricultural experience, they faced numerous challenges. However, their engineering background enabled them to apply creative solutions to traditional farming issues. They adopted permaculture, a sustainable farming method that emulates natural ecosystems and supports biodiversity, soil health, organic farming, and water conservation.
Their farm, Jeevantika, quickly became a regional model for sustainable farming. They cultivated a variety of crops, including cereals, fruits, and vegetables. Their commitment to sustainable farming and permaculture is inspiring people to embrace environmental responsibility.
Sakshi Bhatia and Arpit Maheshwari have conducted workshops and given hands-on demonstrations to local farmers, teaching them eco-friendly farming methods. The workshops and demonstrations have helped local farmers transition from hazardous chemicals and outdated farming techniques to more sustainable methods that yield higher profits over time.
Their work extends beyond the farm. They have collaborated with local groups and schools to educate people about the importance of environmentally friendly farming. Their story serves as an inspiration for anyone who aspires to change the world by re-establishing a connection with nature and leading a sustainable existence.
IIT Indore, too, is playing a significant role in sustainable farming initiatives. In collaboration with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), IIT Indore has launched AgriHub, a Center of Excellence focused on sustainable agriculture using Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), and Deep Learning (DL).
AgriHub aims to transform Indian agriculture by addressing challenges like drought, floods, and low productivity. This initiative can lead to more environmentally friendly farming practices, reducing the use of chemical fertilizers and improving soil health.
The state of Madhya Pradesh is also undertaking broader environmental initiatives, such as significant plantation drives by the Horticulture Department, which aims to increase the green cover and boost farmer incomes. These efforts complement the goals of sustainable agriculture initiatives like AgriHub by promoting ecological balance and economic stability.
Sakshi Bhatia and Arpit Maheshwari's story, and IIT Indore's sustainable farming efforts, are testaments to the strength of taking risks, accepting new challenges, and striving for a more sustainable and better future for all. Their journey demonstrates that it is possible to prosper in a changing world by making farming both economically viable and ecologically friendly.
- Sakshi Bhatia and Arpit Maheshwari, having left their tech and finance jobs, now promote sustainable farming through permaculture, organic farming, and water conservation at their farm, Jeevantika.
- The implementation of permaculture on their farm has supported biodiversity, soil health, and the cultivation of a variety of crops, inspiring others to embrace environmental responsibility.
- The IIT graduates have extended their efforts to local farmers and schools, advocating for eco-friendly farming methods through workshops and hands-on demonstrations, aiding the transition away from hazardous chemicals and outdated farming techniques.
- IIT Indore, in collaboration with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), has launched AgriHub, a sustainable agriculture initiative, utilizing AI, ML, and DL to address various farming challenges, consequently reducing chemical fertilizer use and improving soil health.
- The state's environmental initiatives, such as plantation drives by the Horticulture Department, align with sustainable agriculture efforts like AgriHub by promoting ecological balance and economic stability, furthering the goal of a more sustainable and ecologically friendly food-and-drink, home-and-garden, and lifestyle sector, all intertwined with the climate-change discourse and the broader field of environmental-science.
