Income of R. Narasimman tops at Rs. 50 Lakh yearly through mangoes, bananas, timber, and training, reshaping agroforestry for a self-reliant future.
In the late 90s, ex-corporate worker R. Narasimman tossed aside his office life for a slice of earth. Ironically, his simple plan for a humble retirement farm snowballed into a sprawling 158-acre agroforestry haven. The key? Far more than just planting trees.
Starting with just two acres and an unquenchable passion for the soil, he embarked on a transformative journey that transcended the ordinary. Today, his farm is a thriving collaboration of teak, red sanders, rosewood, and silver oak trees, coupled with mangoes, bananas, watermelons, and pulses like black gram and green gram.
Narasimman scoffs at the notion that agroforestry is merely about growing trees—it's about establishing a resilient financial safety net for generations. A passionate advocate for sustainable agriculture, he's recently joined the Global Farmer Business Network (GFBN), a platform for fostering successful agripreneurs.
Breaking National Records with a 35kg Watermelon
In 2010, Narasimman's farm made headlines with a record-breaking watermelon weighing in at an impressive 35.75 kg. Intrigued by the size, seed firm Namdhari invited him to Bengaluru, confirming their international distributors had never seen such an outcome. His secret? A totally organic ecosystem, complete with 16 desi cows contributing to compost and drip irrigation units powered by solar energy. The unique watermelon was sold for a staggering Rs. 5,000, proving that organic quality can command a premium, even in local markets.
From Farmer to National Advisor
Recognition came knocking when national politicians took notice of his innovative farming methods. In 2018, Prime Minister Narendra Modi invited him to share suggestions for the policy plan aimed at doubling farmers' income. He offered 22 recommendations, such as cutting out middlemen from subsidy disbursement. During the 2020 farmer protests, he was called upon to consult the Supreme Court on drafting Minimum Support Price (MSP) reforms.
Today, Narasimman acts as a senior mentor to young farmers adopting organic-agroforestry systems, inspiring many to follow in his footsteps. In her journey, Neha Luke, another inspiring farmer, transformed a corporate setback into Mala Farms, a Rs. 60 lakh organic farming venture in Gurgaon.
Creating a Self-Sufficient Ecosystem
What truly sets Narasimman's farm apart is its self-sustaining design. Over decades, layers of leafy trees, diverse crop farming, and rainwater harvesting have built an ecosystem thriving without human intervention for up to 20 years. The ecological balance fostered ensures nature-based pest management, soil health, and a variety of food sources.
A Legacy of Resilience and Sustainability
With over 60 awards, including recognition from NITI Aayog and the Indian Chamber of Food and Agriculture, Narasimman stands as a testament to the potential for agriculture to be futuristic. His farm—a symphony of resilience, sustainability, and success—offers not only development but a tale of faith, persistence, and vision in every leaf.
In the words of Narasimman himself, "Farming isn't a job; it's a 100-year investment."
Related Links:- From Corporate Setback to a Thriving Rs. 60 Lakh Organic Farming Venture: Neha Luke's Inspiring Journey of Resilience, Women's Empowerment, and Sustainability- Training the Next Generation of Agri-Leaders
Source: First published on: 10 Jun 2025, 09:06 IST
Join the Revolution: Don't just stick with rice and wheat. Join the Global Farmer Business Network (GFBN) and work towards reshaping agriculture with knowledge, connections, and sustainable development. Visit: https://millionairefarmer.in/gfbn
- R. Narasimman's commitment to environmental science, through his agroforestry farm, transcends tree-planting, aiming to establish a resilient financial safety net for future generations.
- His innovative approaches to sustainable agriculture have caught the attention of national policy-makers, whose interest in his methods led to him offering suggestions for policy and legislation aimed at doubling farmers' incomes.
- In addition to setting records in sustainable living with a 35kg watermelon, Narasimman's farm is now a self-sufficient ecosystem that requires minimal human intervention for up to 20 years.
- As a senior mentor, he continues to inspire younger farmers, like Neha Luke, who followed a corporate setback with the creation of a successful organic farming venture—Mala Farms in Gurgaon.
- Narasimman's agroforestry farm embodies the principles of career development in environmental-science by offering valuable lessons in sustainable living, general news, and education on self-development, demonstrating the transformative power of agriculture in shaping the future.
