good afternoon everyone first of all thank you for inviting me here it’s
thank you for inviting me here it’s
thank you for inviting me here it’s indeed a privilege to be here to share
indeed a privilege to be here to share
indeed a privilege to be here to share my journey with you all as straight away
my journey with you all as straight away
my journey with you all as straight away jump into what I came here to say but
jump into what I came here to say but
jump into what I came here to say but before that I just want to give some
before that I just want to give some
before that I just want to give some background to this so I’m basically an
background to this so I’m basically an
background to this so I’m basically an electronics and communications engineer
electronics and communications engineer
electronics and communications engineer by qualification and a postgraduate in
by qualification and a postgraduate in
by qualification and a postgraduate in business so the only connection that I
business so the only connection that I
business so the only connection that I had with agriculture about five years
had with agriculture about five years
had with agriculture about five years earlier was I was on the other side of
earlier was I was on the other side of
earlier was I was on the other side of the table enjoying all the benefits of
the table enjoying all the benefits of
the table enjoying all the benefits of food so why does someone like me start
food so why does someone like me start
food so why does someone like me start anything right so the why is the most
anything right so the why is the most
anything right so the why is the most important question so I thought today I
important question so I thought today I
important question so I thought today I wanted to share the journey of why or
wanted to share the journey of why or
wanted to share the journey of why or what are the things that made me want to
what are the things that made me want to
what are the things that made me want to do what I did so everything starts with
do what I did so everything starts with
do what I did so everything starts with an idea and I mean and everybody
an idea and I mean and everybody
an idea and I mean and everybody understands that a few years back I
understands that a few years back I
understands that a few years back I accidentally came across a report from
accidentally came across a report from
accidentally came across a report from Africa Indian Federation of Culinary
Africa Indian Federation of Culinary
Africa Indian Federation of Culinary Association which did a survey on the
Association which did a survey on the
Association which did a survey on the toxicity levels of food that was
toxicity levels of food that was
toxicity levels of food that was available in our city so they go to
available in our city so they go to
available in our city so they go to random places pick the fresh produce
random places pick the fresh produce
random places pick the fresh produce give it for lab testing and the
give it for lab testing and the
give it for lab testing and the startling revelation was the most
startling revelation was the most
startling revelation was the most poisonous and toxic food that we are
poisonous and toxic food that we are
poisonous and toxic food that we are consuming on a day-to-day basis was mint
consuming on a day-to-day basis was mint
consuming on a day-to-day basis was mint followed by coriander and this was
followed by coriander and this was
followed by coriander and this was shocking for me because I’m typically
shocking for me because I’m typically
shocking for me because I’m typically from a South Indian family and this is
from a South Indian family and this is
from a South Indian family and this is everyday staple for us right you can’t
everyday staple for us right you can’t
everyday staple for us right you can’t live without your awesomes and your mint
live without your awesomes and your mint
live without your awesomes and your mint chutneys on a daily basis and and I felt
chutneys on a daily basis and and I felt
chutneys on a daily basis and and I felt this was completely wrong but then
this was completely wrong but then
this was completely wrong but then suddenly a thought came to my head
suddenly a thought came to my head
suddenly a thought came to my head saying but then we’ve got options now
saying but then we’ve got options now
saying but then we’ve got options now right like we can always switch to
right like we can always switch to
right like we can always switch to organic we can switch to a premium brand
organic we can switch to a premium brand
organic we can switch to a premium brand of produce and just for a few seconds I
of produce and just for a few seconds I
of produce and just for a few seconds I I started feeling better but but then a
I started feeling better but but then a
I started feeling better but but then a very horrible feeling struck into me
very horrible feeling struck into me
very horrible feeling struck into me again like saying but what about those
again like saying but what about those
again like saying but what about those who actually cannot afford to go to an
who actually cannot afford to go to an
who actually cannot afford to go to an organic store or who can’t go actually
organic store or who can’t go actually
organic store or who can’t go actually to a you know high-end retail let’s
to a you know high-end retail let’s
to a you know high-end retail let’s let’s keep it that way
let’s keep it that way
let’s keep it that way so this thought started building itself
so this thought started building itself
so this thought started building itself in me right
in me right
in me right so little by little I started feeling
so little by little I started feeling
so little by little I started feeling that it is our model responsibility as a
that it is our model responsibility as a
that it is our model responsibility as a society to ensure that every single
society to ensure that every single
society to ensure that every single person who’s sharing this planet it’s
person who’s sharing this planet it’s
person who’s sharing this planet it’s not about a country it’s not about a
not about a country it’s not about a
not about a country it’s not about a state it’s not about any boundary this
state it’s not about any boundary this
state it’s not about any boundary this space that we share with every single
space that we share with every single
space that we share with every single human imagine when you have three meals
human imagine when you have three meals
human imagine when you have three meals a day there’s a kid they’re not even
a day there’s a kid they’re not even
a day there’s a kid they’re not even having access to one single meal and
having access to one single meal and
having access to one single meal and this thought started getting even more
this thought started getting even more
this thought started getting even more stronger because I am a father to a
stronger because I am a father to a
stronger because I am a father to a three-year-old and I know what that
three-year-old and I know what that
three-year-old and I know what that feeling is when when my daughter just
feeling is when when my daughter just
feeling is when when my daughter just doesn’t get one meal she goes really
doesn’t get one meal she goes really
doesn’t get one meal she goes really crazy and imagine there are kids who are
crazy and imagine there are kids who are
crazy and imagine there are kids who are just making by with not even a single
just making by with not even a single
just making by with not even a single meal so this kind of became the mission
meal so this kind of became the mission
meal so this kind of became the mission which drove me to do whatever I did and
which drove me to do whatever I did and
which drove me to do whatever I did and I’m going to go into that stages that is
I’m going to go into that stages that is
I’m going to go into that stages that is that I went through for me to kind of
that I went through for me to kind of
that I went through for me to kind of jump into what we did right by 2050
jump into what we did right by 2050
jump into what we did right by 2050 whether we know it or not we’re going to
whether we know it or not we’re going to
whether we know it or not we’re going to be 10 billion people we are actually
be 10 billion people we are actually
be 10 billion people we are actually three times more than what the earth
three times more than what the earth
three times more than what the earth intended for us to be right and by that
intended for us to be right and by that
intended for us to be right and by that time we’re going to be having a need for
time we’re going to be having a need for
time we’re going to be having a need for 70% more food so that sounds extremely
70% more food so that sounds extremely
70% more food so that sounds extremely like a figure that’s unviable simply
like a figure that’s unviable simply
like a figure that’s unviable simply because you know that 70% of the earth
because you know that 70% of the earth
because you know that 70% of the earth is filled with the ocean only 30% is
is filled with the ocean only 30% is
is filled with the ocean only 30% is land and in the land we have to balance
land and in the land we have to balance
land and in the land we have to balance between the ecosystem of forests and
between the ecosystem of forests and
between the ecosystem of forests and food production so at the current rate
food production so at the current rate
food production so at the current rate if we actually expand seventy percent
if we actually expand seventy percent
if we actually expand seventy percent there won’t be any land left unless we
there won’t be any land left unless we
there won’t be any land left unless we start sea farming so this kind of put a
start sea farming so this kind of put a
start sea farming so this kind of put a serious question in my mind right so we
serious question in my mind right so we
serious question in my mind right so we are a country that launched the
are a country that launched the
are a country that launched the mangalyaan and we are the country that’s
mangalyaan and we are the country that’s
mangalyaan and we are the country that’s going to launch the next bullet trains
going to launch the next bullet trains
going to launch the next bullet trains so obviously we would have figured this
so obviously we would have figured this
so obviously we would have figured this all out we would have had the technology
all out we would have had the technology
all out we would have had the technology by now
by now
by now to gear up for this change and I wanted
to gear up for this change and I wanted
to gear up for this change and I wanted to know it but while I was thinking
to know it but while I was thinking
to know it but while I was thinking through this suddenly an image flashed
through this suddenly an image flashed
through this suddenly an image flashed in my head the image which disturbed me
in my head the image which disturbed me
in my head the image which disturbed me a lot because that’s the image of the
a lot because that’s the image of the
a lot because that’s the image of the Indian farmer so the lady who introduced
Indian farmer so the lady who introduced
Indian farmer so the lady who introduced me sorry I forgot her name she actually
me sorry I forgot her name she actually
me sorry I forgot her name she actually mentioned that right what do you think
mentioned that right what do you think
mentioned that right what do you think when you think of an Indian farmer what
when you think of an Indian farmer what
when you think of an Indian farmer what is the image so take a few seconds and
is the image so take a few seconds and
is the image so take a few seconds and just think right I don’t know
just think right I don’t know
just think right I don’t know most of you for me I could just get the
most of you for me I could just get the
most of you for me I could just get the picture of two hungry cows and a skinny
picture of two hungry cows and a skinny
picture of two hungry cows and a skinny man and this maybe this is programmed
man and this maybe this is programmed
man and this maybe this is programmed for years maybe looking at our Indian
for years maybe looking at our Indian
for years maybe looking at our Indian stamp or whatever it was but this was
stamp or whatever it was but this was
stamp or whatever it was but this was the honest image that came to my head
the honest image that came to my head
the honest image that came to my head when I visualized an Indian farmer so I
when I visualized an Indian farmer so I
when I visualized an Indian farmer so I said look I can’t have the conversation
said look I can’t have the conversation
said look I can’t have the conversation with God but I can go one step closer so
with God but I can go one step closer so
with God but I can go one step closer so I went to Google typed in Indian farmer
I went to Google typed in Indian farmer
I went to Google typed in Indian farmer and I was right this is the first page
and I was right this is the first page
and I was right this is the first page of Google with all the AI they could
of Google with all the AI they could
of Google with all the AI they could come up with a level of technology and
come up with a level of technology and
come up with a level of technology and agriculture with this right this image
agriculture with this right this image
agriculture with this right this image says it all like the only technology
says it all like the only technology
says it all like the only technology that we think that we have which still
that we think that we have which still
that we think that we have which still science is dabbling with is this last
science is dabbling with is this last
science is dabbling with is this last image here of the man’s brain right
image here of the man’s brain right
image here of the man’s brain right because we still don’t know if that
because we still don’t know if that
because we still don’t know if that science works or not and if you look one
science works or not and if you look one
science works or not and if you look one more important thing the first tab that
more important thing the first tab that
more important thing the first tab that Matt the Indian farmer says pour so
Matt the Indian farmer says pour so
Matt the Indian farmer says pour so that’s how the world or even Google
that’s how the world or even Google
that’s how the world or even Google classifies an Indian farmer today I put
classifies an Indian farmer today I put
classifies an Indian farmer today I put the same theory to an American farmer
the same theory to an American farmer
the same theory to an American farmer this is the image I got on the first
this is the image I got on the first
this is the image I got on the first page of Google right so they’re
page of Google right so they’re
page of Google right so they’re obviously looking much more healthy more
obviously looking much more healthy more
obviously looking much more healthy more confident there’s a lot of tech in the
confident there’s a lot of tech in the
confident there’s a lot of tech in the background so this kind of really gave
background so this kind of really gave
background so this kind of really gave me some perspectives on how we look at
me some perspectives on how we look at
me some perspectives on how we look at ourselves and how we look at our farmers
ourselves and how we look at our farmers
ourselves and how we look at our farmers and how everybody else looks at their
and how everybody else looks at their
and how everybody else looks at their farmers right and this was one of the
farmers right and this was one of the
farmers right and this was one of the Articles that came out on India today
Articles that came out on India today
Articles that came out on India today which really opened my eye to the farmer
which really opened my eye to the farmer
which really opened my eye to the farmer we keep blaming the farmer for not
we keep blaming the farmer for not
we keep blaming the farmer for not giving us clean food for saying
giving us clean food for saying
giving us clean food for saying different things but we never really
different things but we never really
different things but we never really look at what’s going on in their lives
look at what’s going on in their lives
look at what’s going on in their lives we are a country where we house 120
we are a country where we house 120
we are a country where we house 120 million farmers out of which every half
million farmers out of which every half
million farmers out of which every half an hour a farmer is committing suicide
an hour a farmer is committing suicide
an hour a farmer is committing suicide as we speak and in in the 120 million
as we speak and in in the 120 million
as we speak and in in the 120 million farmers almost 40% do not like farming
farmers almost 40% do not like farming
farmers almost 40% do not like farming they do not want to do farming they
they do not want to do farming they
they do not want to do farming they don’t want their next generation to get
don’t want their next generation to get
don’t want their next generation to get into farming and the experts in the
into farming and the experts in the
into farming and the experts in the agricultural industry they say that for
agricultural industry they say that for
agricultural industry they say that for a farmer to be viable you need at least
a farmer to be viable you need at least
a farmer to be viable you need at least one hectare land per farmer and the
one hectare land per farmer and the
one hectare land per farmer and the irony is out of all the farmers we have
irony is out of all the farmers we have
irony is out of all the farmers we have more than 70% of them have less than one
more than 70% of them have less than one
more than 70% of them have less than one hectare and you know what’s more
hectare and you know what’s more
hectare and you know what’s more troubling as we move along the father
troubling as we move along the father
troubling as we move along the father will split that line to his
will split that line to his
will split that line to his Suns and they will further so as we
Suns and they will further so as we
Suns and they will further so as we progress farming is becoming more and
progress farming is becoming more and
progress farming is becoming more and more unviable in its current form and
more unviable in its current form and
more unviable in its current form and shape so this is a serious problem right
shape so this is a serious problem right
shape so this is a serious problem right like just imagine per day two thousand
like just imagine per day two thousand
like just imagine per day two thousand farmers of quitting farming forget about
farmers of quitting farming forget about
farmers of quitting farming forget about the 70% increase in food that we are
the 70% increase in food that we are
the 70% increase in food that we are looking at as on date 2,000 farmers are
looking at as on date 2,000 farmers are
looking at as on date 2,000 farmers are quitting on a daily basis
quitting on a daily basis
quitting on a daily basis why won’t they quit an average income of
why won’t they quit an average income of
why won’t they quit an average income of a farming family is 6,000 rupees an
a farming family is 6,000 rupees an
a farming family is 6,000 rupees an average income of a security guard in
average income of a security guard in
average income of a security guard in one of the gates in a city is about
one of the gates in a city is about
one of the gates in a city is about 8,000 rupees so and think about it all
8,000 rupees so and think about it all
8,000 rupees so and think about it all that back-breaking work and the
that back-breaking work and the
that back-breaking work and the uncertainties of climate weather nature
uncertainties of climate weather nature
uncertainties of climate weather nature all of that he may or may not get that
all of that he may or may not get that
all of that he may or may not get that 6,000 for his family all he has to do is
6,000 for his family all he has to do is
6,000 for his family all he has to do is wear a blue color uniform sit on the
wear a blue color uniform sit on the
wear a blue color uniform sit on the chair from morning to evening and he can
chair from morning to evening and he can
chair from morning to evening and he can feed his family three times a day if we
feed his family three times a day if we
feed his family three times a day if we worry about our family I think he has
worry about our family I think he has
worry about our family I think he has the right to worry about his as well
the right to worry about his as well
the right to worry about his as well this kind of makes me realize that it’s
this kind of makes me realize that it’s
this kind of makes me realize that it’s not the farmer it’s not anything else
not the farmer it’s not anything else
not the farmer it’s not anything else but the entire system is broken the
but the entire system is broken the
but the entire system is broken the entire food supply chain is broken right
entire food supply chain is broken right
entire food supply chain is broken right and this is the right time for us to
and this is the right time for us to
and this is the right time for us to rethink the whole thing we have to start
rethink the whole thing we have to start
rethink the whole thing we have to start reimagining food and this is the most
reimagining food and this is the most
reimagining food and this is the most interesting part of my learning in this
interesting part of my learning in this
interesting part of my learning in this whole journey right I think what we ate
whole journey right I think what we ate
whole journey right I think what we ate 50 years back was very different from
50 years back was very different from
50 years back was very different from what we are consuming as a population
what we are consuming as a population
what we are consuming as a population today and 50 years from now what we are
today and 50 years from now what we are
today and 50 years from now what we are going to have is going to be completely
going to have is going to be completely
going to have is going to be completely different from what we are eating today
different from what we are eating today
different from what we are eating today who knows we could have cricket salads
who knows we could have cricket salads
who knows we could have cricket salads and octopus or squid ink juices because
and octopus or squid ink juices because
and octopus or squid ink juices because the world is changing drastically and as
the world is changing drastically and as
the world is changing drastically and as we speak people have already started
we speak people have already started
we speak people have already started looking at insect protein and all the
looking at insect protein and all the
looking at insect protein and all the other things as a viable source of food
other things as a viable source of food
other things as a viable source of food now if you take food and you actually
now if you take food and you actually
now if you take food and you actually ask the simple question what is food can
ask the simple question what is food can
ask the simple question what is food can you define food food is something that
you define food food is something that
you define food food is something that does not cost you long term or short
does not cost you long term or short
does not cost you long term or short term harm and that actually gives you
term harm and that actually gives you
term harm and that actually gives you nourish meant if you just take the
nourish meant if you just take the
nourish meant if you just take the simple analogy you walk into a
simple analogy you walk into a
simple analogy you walk into a supermarket today I don’t know how many
supermarket today I don’t know how many
supermarket today I don’t know how many products you can actually take out of
products you can actually take out of
products you can actually take out of that and walk back home this is the
that and walk back home this is the
that and walk back home this is the current state of consumption that we are
current state of consumption that we are
current state of consumption that we are in and we need to drastically relook and
in and we need to drastically relook and
in and we need to drastically relook and rethink at this environment
rethink at this environment
rethink at this environment the new food needs to be put into a
the new food needs to be put into a
the new food needs to be put into a spectrum a framework where we are
spectrum a framework where we are
spectrum a framework where we are looking at nutrition let me just give
looking at nutrition let me just give
looking at nutrition let me just give you a heads up on nutrition right India
you a heads up on nutrition right India
you a heads up on nutrition right India as a country we are still talking about
as a country we are still talking about
as a country we are still talking about calorie per person for example a healthy
calorie per person for example a healthy
calorie per person for example a healthy male requires about 2,000 calories per
male requires about 2,000 calories per
male requires about 2,000 calories per day but how much nutrition in that
day but how much nutrition in that
day but how much nutrition in that calorie nobody knows so which means you
calorie nobody knows so which means you
calorie nobody knows so which means you can eat rice all day and you can get
can eat rice all day and you can get
can eat rice all day and you can get your carbs but you would not actually
your carbs but you would not actually
your carbs but you would not actually have any of the calories that is
have any of the calories that is
have any of the calories that is required for you to be a healthy person
required for you to be a healthy person
required for you to be a healthy person right you might not have your primary
right you might not have your primary
right you might not have your primary nutrients or your secondary nutrients or
nutrients or your secondary nutrients or
nutrients or your secondary nutrients or your micronutrients in that composition
your micronutrients in that composition
your micronutrients in that composition whereas the rest of the developed world
whereas the rest of the developed world
whereas the rest of the developed world have gone far ahead of this they are not
have gone far ahead of this they are not
have gone far ahead of this they are not thinking calories for human they are
thinking calories for human they are
thinking calories for human they are thinking nutrition per calorie now this
thinking nutrition per calorie now this
thinking nutrition per calorie now this is a very interesting thought right
is a very interesting thought right
is a very interesting thought right because what this does is it changes the
because what this does is it changes the
because what this does is it changes the way we actually do agriculture kind of
way we actually do agriculture kind of
way we actually do agriculture kind of sad to say this but we often boast that
sad to say this but we often boast that
sad to say this but we often boast that we are the rice ball we are the sugar
we are the rice ball we are the sugar
we are the rice ball we are the sugar bowl we are the largest cotton
bowl we are the largest cotton
bowl we are the largest cotton manufacturer we are the largest wheat
manufacturer we are the largest wheat
manufacturer we are the largest wheat manufacturer even dairy for the last two
manufacturer even dairy for the last two
manufacturer even dairy for the last two decades we have been growing we’ve been
decades we have been growing we’ve been
decades we have been growing we’ve been like raising cattle for milk and on the
like raising cattle for milk and on the
like raising cattle for milk and on the basis of the most important element for
basis of the most important element for
basis of the most important element for agriculture water you know right
agriculture water you know right
agriculture water you know right I always feel nice about somebody who
I always feel nice about somebody who
I always feel nice about somebody who comes in say say you’ve not close to
comes in say say you’ve not close to
comes in say say you’ve not close to your tap that little bit water is
your tap that little bit water is
your tap that little bit water is dripping but the funny part is that
dripping but the funny part is that
dripping but the funny part is that constitutes only 5% of the total water
constitutes only 5% of the total water
constitutes only 5% of the total water consumed all our domestic consumption
consumed all our domestic consumption
consumed all our domestic consumption everything put together constitutes only
everything put together constitutes only
everything put together constitutes only 5% agriculture constitutes to 90% of our
5% agriculture constitutes to 90% of our
5% agriculture constitutes to 90% of our water utilization in the future was are
water utilization in the future was are
water utilization in the future was are going to be fought on water and how
going to be fought on water and how
going to be fought on water and how India uses its water we don’t know we
India uses its water we don’t know we
India uses its water we don’t know we have not really thought this through
have not really thought this through
have not really thought this through right all of these crops require at
right all of these crops require at
right all of these crops require at least 10 20 30 40 hundred times more
least 10 20 30 40 hundred times more
least 10 20 30 40 hundred times more water then what the other guys are
water then what the other guys are
water then what the other guys are actually doing right the developed world
actually doing right the developed world
actually doing right the developed world has cherry-picked
has cherry-picked
has cherry-picked the nutrition via square feet
the nutrition via square feet
the nutrition via square feet we ask calorie and they have taken away
we ask calorie and they have taken away
we ask calorie and they have taken away all the value to one side and they have
all the value to one side and they have
all the value to one side and they have said this is the low value curve right
said this is the low value curve right
said this is the low value curve right this is the commodity so any developing
this is the commodity so any developing
this is the commodity so any developing country any third-world country can
country any third-world country can
country any third-world country can consume its own water resources and can
consume its own water resources and can
consume its own water resources and can develop this because we don’t need to
develop this because we don’t need to
develop this because we don’t need to make all these commodities we can always
make all these commodities we can always
make all these commodities we can always buy this from them because the Indian
buy this from them because the Indian
buy this from them because the Indian farmer does not factor the most
farmer does not factor the most
farmer does not factor the most important raw material in the whole part
important raw material in the whole part
important raw material in the whole part of agriculture it’s the water so the way
of agriculture it’s the water so the way
of agriculture it’s the water so the way we have to look at the future of food
we have to look at the future of food
we have to look at the future of food has to be completely different we have
has to be completely different we have
has to be completely different we have to calculate square feet we as nutrition
to calculate square feet we as nutrition
to calculate square feet we as nutrition vs the calorie in it so all of this data
vs the calorie in it so all of this data
vs the calorie in it so all of this data really upset me because III came across
really upset me because III came across
really upset me because III came across all of this and I had to do something
all of this and I had to do something
all of this and I had to do something about it like I felt morally obliged to
about it like I felt morally obliged to
about it like I felt morally obliged to do something about it and I had no
do something about it and I had no
do something about it and I had no connection with agriculture whatsoever
connection with agriculture whatsoever
connection with agriculture whatsoever but I just knew that maybe it’s the era
but I just knew that maybe it’s the era
but I just knew that maybe it’s the era of technology right there would be some
of technology right there would be some
of technology right there would be some technology somewhere that we can use to
technology somewhere that we can use to
technology somewhere that we can use to address this problem we also know that
address this problem we also know that
address this problem we also know that by 2020 60% of the world will be living
by 2020 60% of the world will be living
by 2020 60% of the world will be living in urban jungles the urbanization would
in urban jungles the urbanization would
in urban jungles the urbanization would have taken place and these urban cities
have taken place and these urban cities
have taken place and these urban cities will not spring upon by itself right it
will not spring upon by itself right it
will not spring upon by itself right it has to displace something it’s going to
has to displace something it’s going to
has to displace something it’s going to displace more farmlands and become
displace more farmlands and become
displace more farmlands and become cities so if food is going further away
cities so if food is going further away
cities so if food is going further away from you how are you going to manage
from you how are you going to manage
from you how are you going to manage this crisis the only way forward was
this crisis the only way forward was
this crisis the only way forward was urban farming where you can grow things
urban farming where you can grow things
urban farming where you can grow things at smaller places with higher intensity
at smaller places with higher intensity
at smaller places with higher intensity and with technologies that enable you to
and with technologies that enable you to
and with technologies that enable you to enable you to produce more out of less
enable you to produce more out of less
enable you to produce more out of less in this mission in this search I came
in this mission in this search I came
in this mission in this search I came across hydroponics hydroponics is a
across hydroponics hydroponics is a
across hydroponics hydroponics is a science of growing plants directly on
science of growing plants directly on
science of growing plants directly on water without any soil so this to some
water without any soil so this to some
water without any soil so this to some people may be startling because for the
people may be startling because for the
people may be startling because for the longest time even I was thinking that
longest time even I was thinking that
longest time even I was thinking that everything grows out of soil technically
everything grows out of soil technically
everything grows out of soil technically speaking you don’t need soil to grow
speaking you don’t need soil to grow
speaking you don’t need soil to grow plants it’s only a support structure and
plants it’s only a support structure and
plants it’s only a support structure and you can replicate everything else
you can replicate everything else
you can replicate everything else directly on water what this does the
directly on water what this does the
directly on water what this does the benefit of hydroponics is we save 90%
benefit of hydroponics is we save 90%
benefit of hydroponics is we save 90% water and this lets us do vertical
water and this lets us do vertical
water and this lets us do vertical farming which means because we are not
farming which means because we are not
farming which means because we are not dependent on soil I can grow one layer
dependent on soil I can grow one layer
dependent on soil I can grow one layer on top of the other on top of the other
on top of the other on top of the other
on top of the other on top of the other and because I’m not dependent on soil it
and because I’m not dependent on soil it
and because I’m not dependent on soil it doesn’t matter whether the soil is rocky
doesn’t matter whether the soil is rocky
doesn’t matter whether the soil is rocky whether
whether
whether the quality of the soil is bad or it’s a
the quality of the soil is bad or it’s a
the quality of the soil is bad or it’s a beach it can be wherever it can be
beach it can be wherever it can be
beach it can be wherever it can be parking lots basements rooftops all of
parking lots basements rooftops all of
parking lots basements rooftops all of them can be converted into food
them can be converted into food
them can be converted into food production entities so this is what
production entities so this is what
production entities so this is what inspired us and I was alone in this in
inspired us and I was alone in this in
inspired us and I was alone in this in the beginning right so I I just started
the beginning right so I I just started
the beginning right so I I just started off and I thought if I was just a
off and I thought if I was just a
off and I thought if I was just a matchstick here if I could just light
matchstick here if I could just light
matchstick here if I could just light this fire then maybe some change will
this fire then maybe some change will
this fire then maybe some change will happen I’ll just play my part and maybe
happen I’ll just play my part and maybe
happen I’ll just play my part and maybe I won’t feel this guilty afterwards but
I won’t feel this guilty afterwards but
I won’t feel this guilty afterwards but to my surprise I found a whole army of
to my surprise I found a whole army of
to my surprise I found a whole army of people who have the exact same cause and
people who have the exact same cause and
people who have the exact same cause and they approached us and at some point we
they approached us and at some point we
they approached us and at some point we became a company it was a project it
became a company it was a project it
became a company it was a project it became a company and companies needed to
became a company and companies needed to
became a company and companies needed to pay salary right wrong these people
pay salary right wrong these people
pay salary right wrong these people didn’t even want salaries they actually
didn’t even want salaries they actually
didn’t even want salaries they actually put in money to work for the company
put in money to work for the company
put in money to work for the company because the cost was that important to
because the cost was that important to
because the cost was that important to them about twelve thirteen people
them about twelve thirteen people
them about twelve thirteen people dedicated themselves to this cause and
dedicated themselves to this cause and
dedicated themselves to this cause and we started building this and our single
we started building this and our single
we started building this and our single point idea was how do you take a concept
point idea was how do you take a concept
point idea was how do you take a concept like this to a country like India we
like this to a country like India we
like this to a country like India we have to go after the influencers and
have to go after the influencers and
have to go after the influencers and influencers are not 300 miles away in a
influencers are not 300 miles away in a
influencers are not 300 miles away in a farm they are actually in your houses
farm they are actually in your houses
farm they are actually in your houses they are actually the people living in
they are actually the people living in
they are actually the people living in cities so we started making
cities so we started making
cities so we started making kitchen-garden kids toys basically and
kitchen-garden kids toys basically and
kitchen-garden kids toys basically and then we said look if we can take this to
then we said look if we can take this to
then we said look if we can take this to every single household if every kid can
every single household if every kid can
every single household if every kid can be inspired if they can be sensitized
be inspired if they can be sensitized
be inspired if they can be sensitized towards food then they will start a
towards food then they will start a
towards food then they will start a conversation with their parents and
conversation with their parents and
conversation with their parents and these people will start recognizing what
these people will start recognizing what
these people will start recognizing what technology and sustainable farming is
technology and sustainable farming is
technology and sustainable farming is and through that we can spread this
and through that we can spread this
and through that we can spread this awareness that’s how this project
awareness that’s how this project
awareness that’s how this project started it kind of slowly grew and we
started it kind of slowly grew and we
started it kind of slowly grew and we shifted as we made more money we made a
shifted as we made more money we made a
shifted as we made more money we made a rooftop farm and the rooftop farm the
rooftop farm and the rooftop farm the
rooftop farm and the rooftop farm the idea was simple right jugaad it’s the
idea was simple right jugaad it’s the
idea was simple right jugaad it’s the list of one thing that powers India
list of one thing that powers India
list of one thing that powers India everything needs to be done just in time
everything needs to be done just in time
everything needs to be done just in time in a way and with whatever you find
in a way and with whatever you find
in a way and with whatever you find there we wanted to have a professional
there we wanted to have a professional
there we wanted to have a professional way of approaching rooftops we wanted to
way of approaching rooftops we wanted to
way of approaching rooftops we wanted to understand the problem of rooftops we
understand the problem of rooftops we
understand the problem of rooftops we wanted to understand the problem of
wanted to understand the problem of
wanted to understand the problem of people living in cities they don’t have
people living in cities they don’t have
people living in cities they don’t have time they don’t have water they they
time they don’t have water they they
time they don’t have water they they don’t want to get their hands dirty they
don’t want to get their hands dirty they
don’t want to get their hands dirty they want to travel and come back after ten
want to travel and come back after ten
want to travel and come back after ten days hydroponics fit into all of this we
days hydroponics fit into all of this we
days hydroponics fit into all of this we put all the systems in place so that
put all the systems in place so that
put all the systems in place so that they could just go standardized retrofit
they could just go standardized retrofit
they could just go standardized retrofit a rooftop and without any impact to the
a rooftop and without any impact to the
a rooftop and without any impact to the roof itself this was kale that is grown
roof itself this was kale that is grown
roof itself this was kale that is grown in one of the rooftops in one of our
in one of the rooftops in one of our
in one of the rooftops in one of our modular units now every family can start
modular units now every family can start
modular units now every family can start producing food in a little by little way
producing food in a little by little way
producing food in a little by little way they can start understanding the process
they can start understanding the process
they can start understanding the process of producing food we are creating a new
of producing food we are creating a new
of producing food we are creating a new range of farmers people who are
range of farmers people who are
range of farmers people who are housewives now can reimagine themselves
housewives now can reimagine themselves
housewives now can reimagine themselves to be food entrepreneurs they can be the
to be food entrepreneurs they can be the
to be food entrepreneurs they can be the next leg of farmers the one that India
next leg of farmers the one that India
next leg of farmers the one that India needs to solve this gap the same farm
needs to solve this gap the same farm
needs to solve this gap the same farm that we did the rooftop farm we are
that we did the rooftop farm we are
that we did the rooftop farm we are growing some exotics there and this is
growing some exotics there and this is
growing some exotics there and this is supplied to almost 30 restaurants in the
supplied to almost 30 restaurants in the
supplied to almost 30 restaurants in the vicinity itself so it’s not just
vicinity itself so it’s not just
vicinity itself so it’s not just something that is out of you know
something that is out of you know
something that is out of you know someone’s good intention but it’s also
someone’s good intention but it’s also
someone’s good intention but it’s also extremely viable as a business this was
extremely viable as a business this was
extremely viable as a business this was a project where we played with medicinal
a project where we played with medicinal
a project where we played with medicinal plants and we so one of the things that
plants and we so one of the things that
plants and we so one of the things that I was working on is why not look at
I was working on is why not look at
I was working on is why not look at those things that others are not looking
those things that others are not looking
those things that others are not looking at why not look at our history our past
at why not look at our history our past
at why not look at our history our past you know we have so many Ayurvedic herbs
you know we have so many Ayurvedic herbs
you know we have so many Ayurvedic herbs and if we could use new technology and
and if we could use new technology and
and if we could use new technology and our ancient tradition marry them across
our ancient tradition marry them across
our ancient tradition marry them across and this was a great success in fact
and this was a great success in fact
and this was a great success in fact some of the leading Institute’s are now
some of the leading Institute’s are now
some of the leading Institute’s are now deploying this for their production as
deploying this for their production as
deploying this for their production as well this is one of my colleagues is
well this is one of my colleagues is
well this is one of my colleagues is extremely proud of his work he is just
extremely proud of his work he is just
extremely proud of his work he is just created purple leaf basil on his rooftop
created purple leaf basil on his rooftop
created purple leaf basil on his rooftop this was a project so this is the new
this was a project so this is the new
this was a project so this is the new face of an urban farmer he’s a musician
face of an urban farmer he’s a musician
face of an urban farmer he’s a musician by profession he lives out of Mumbai and
by profession he lives out of Mumbai and
by profession he lives out of Mumbai and this urban farm is from Chennai this is
this urban farm is from Chennai this is
this urban farm is from Chennai this is the bare skeletal and each of these
the bare skeletal and each of these
the bare skeletal and each of these products were indigenized by us right we
products were indigenized by us right we
products were indigenized by us right we used locally available materials so that
used locally available materials so that
used locally available materials so that the cost barrier can be broken and every
the cost barrier can be broken and every
the cost barrier can be broken and every year we set goals for ourselves to bring
year we set goals for ourselves to bring
year we set goals for ourselves to bring bring down the cost of technology so
bring down the cost of technology so
bring down the cost of technology so that more and more farmers and more and
that more and more farmers and more and
that more and more farmers and more and more crops can be included in this
more crops can be included in this
more crops can be included in this portfolio I will just leave you with one
portfolio I will just leave you with one
portfolio I will just leave you with one last thought this is something that is
last thought this is something that is
last thought this is something that is very close to me what we are achieving
very close to me what we are achieving
very close to me what we are achieving to do is a project called Pollak project
to do is a project called Pollak project
to do is a project called Pollak project 50% of the women in India are anemic and
50% of the women in India are anemic and
50% of the women in India are anemic and 50% of the children are suffering from
50% of the children are suffering from
50% of the children are suffering from stunted
stunted
stunted growth so this mainly comes out of iron
growth so this mainly comes out of iron
growth so this mainly comes out of iron deficiency we wanted to marry the
deficiency we wanted to marry the
deficiency we wanted to marry the corporates with this kind of problem so
corporates with this kind of problem so
corporates with this kind of problem so we said if every commercial rooftop can
we said if every commercial rooftop can
we said if every commercial rooftop can house a farm like this and grow only
house a farm like this and grow only
house a farm like this and grow only spinach people from the underprivileged
spinach people from the underprivileged
spinach people from the underprivileged families especially women folk can be
families especially women folk can be
families especially women folk can be employed in those farms and these farms
employed in those farms and these farms
employed in those farms and these farms can be set up using the CSR budget and
can be set up using the CSR budget and
can be set up using the CSR budget and the minute I put a rooftop farm the
the minute I put a rooftop farm the
the minute I put a rooftop farm the cooling efficiency of the building goes
cooling efficiency of the building goes
cooling efficiency of the building goes up 20% now these women who are actually
up 20% now these women who are actually
up 20% now these women who are actually working there will produce these
working there will produce these
working there will produce these Pollock’s and imagine if these pallets
Pollock’s and imagine if these pallets
Pollock’s and imagine if these pallets are bundled and sent to organizations
are bundled and sent to organizations
are bundled and sent to organizations like Akshaya Patra where they cook the
like Akshaya Patra where they cook the
like Akshaya Patra where they cook the mid-day Meal Scheme a child requires 12
mid-day Meal Scheme a child requires 12
mid-day Meal Scheme a child requires 12 grams of protein and 50 grams of
grams of protein and 50 grams of
grams of protein and 50 grams of vegetables on a daily basis and imagine
vegetables on a daily basis and imagine
vegetables on a daily basis and imagine if that 50 grams of vegetable is
if that 50 grams of vegetable is
if that 50 grams of vegetable is substituted with 20 grams of spinach
substituted with 20 grams of spinach
substituted with 20 grams of spinach which is high in iron content we could
which is high in iron content we could
which is high in iron content we could pretty much make a big dent on the
pretty much make a big dent on the
pretty much make a big dent on the anemia as a problem and with just one
anemia as a problem and with just one
anemia as a problem and with just one corporate farm we can feed 4500 children
corporate farm we can feed 4500 children
corporate farm we can feed 4500 children per month so if and we are working
per month so if and we are working
per month so if and we are working towards a goal like this and someday we
towards a goal like this and someday we
towards a goal like this and someday we see that when you take off on your
see that when you take off on your
see that when you take off on your flight we want to see every rooftop
flight we want to see every rooftop
flight we want to see every rooftop covered with a hydroponic farm thank you
covered with a hydroponic farm thank you
covered with a hydroponic farm thank you [Applause]
”
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