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₹1 lakh job to farming: Tamil Nadu man now trains children in villages

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In a remarkable shift from corporate life to rural transformation, a young engineering graduate from Tamil Nadu’s Thanjavur district has traded a lucrative IT career for a mission rooted in agriculture and tradition.

Devendran, hailing from Badarakottai village, was employed as a robotic automation engineer in Chennai, earning nearly ₹1 lakh per month. However, a chance interaction with renowned agronomist Nammalvar proved to be a turning point in his life. Inspired by the vision of making agriculture engaging for the younger generation, Devendran decided to take a bold step.

Leaving behind his corporate job, he returned to his village and invested in three acres of land. There, he established an organic farm, adopting traditional agricultural practices and creating a sustainable ecosystem. His farm features a living fence and houses around 250 trees, including teak, banyan, African sandalwood, lemon, drumstick, mango, jackfruit, and jamun.

In addition to crop cultivation, Devendran has integrated poultry farming into his model. He rears nearly 300 native birds such as chickens, ducks, and pigeons. Around 150 hens contribute to a steady monthly income of approximately ₹40,000 through egg production. Staying true to organic principles, he uses chicken droppings as natural fertiliser and relies exclusively on traditional seeds.

Beyond his farming success, Devendran is committed to community development. He actively trains children from 48 villages in traditional games and organic farming techniques, aiming to reconnect them with their cultural roots.

Driven by a long-term vision, Devendran says his mission is to preserve agricultural knowledge and cultural heritage for the next 2,000 years—proving that sustainable living and tradition can go hand in hand with modern aspirations.

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