In her debut book, 'Farmer Sutra,' social entrepreneur and sustainability coach, Kalpana Manivannan, charts her journey in crafting a sustainable lifestyle.
Kalpana, a social entrepreneur and Karmaveer Chakra awardee has recently penned her farming journey in a book titled 'Farmer Sutra'. (Supplied)
Imagine a scorching summer day at a farm, but you find refuge under the cool shade of trees, their leaves rustling a natural melody. Just in time for lunch, you gather ripe tomatoes, fresh lady fingers, cluster beans, and brinjals from the nearby vegetable patch, head to the cottage, and whip up a fresh, wholesome meal.
For the afternoon siesta, you step outside because the breeze under the trees is more soothing than any indoor retreat.
This farm life is often just a dream for city-dwellers entangled in the rush of life and the noise of capitalism.
However, it has become a reality for Kalpana Manivannan, a Chennai resident who turned her fantasy into a tangible existence with Kalpavriksha Farms.
Yet, achieving this dream wasn’t a walk in the park.
Kalpana, a social entrepreneur and Karmaveer Chakra awardee has recently penned her farming journey in a book titled Farmer Sutra.
When I first picked up the book, my scepticism loomed large. Books about farming/gardening aren’t my go-to, and the prospect of a gardening guide seemed daunting.
Living in an apartment further distanced me from the idea of having a thriving garden. However, a few pages into the book, I was hooked.
Kalpavriksha Farms. (Supplied)
What captivated me most was the process and the book’s casual, anecdotal tone. What made it endearing was Kalpana’s artful weaving of not just her life on the farm but all the interconnected threads, including family, her two children, profession (she was once a high school biology teacher), food safety, aspirations, perseverance, and doubts.
“I’m glad you felt that way (laughs). That’s exactly the vibe I aimed for. I didn’t want the book to be some dry instruction manual on farming. Instead, I wanted readers to experience the mindset shift that happens throughout the journey. The core theme of the book is simple: dare to dream, and then go out and make it happen,” adds Kalpana, who also wears the hat of a sustainability coach.
Her book kicks off with a snapshot of her life in 2013. It’s been a decade since Kalpana shared her heart’s desire with her husband — the dream of owning a piece of land and transforming it into paradise.
“I’ll be honest. When I had this vision, I never imagined it would come true. But I dared to dream. And you know, when your determination is unwavering, the universe conspires to guide you towards it. It might not happen overnight, but it will. All one needs to do is take small steps towards that dream,” advises Kalpana.
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Diligently documenting her journey through blogs, Kalpana found herself surrounded by a wealth of content when she decided to embark on writing a book.
“However, they were scattered bits and pieces, existing in the form of blog posts. So, when the notion of writing a book surfaced, I had to shape the narrative tone. Writing a book was never initially on my radar,” she reveals.
It was a stroke of serendipity. Acting on a friend’s suggestion, she entered a pitch contest and emerged victorious.
This unexpected triumph paved the way for her connection with publishers, and from that point on, there has been no turning back.
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Kalpana shares that initially, she envisioned translating her journey into a coffee table book adorned with vivid farm pictures she meticulously captured.
“Little did I know that publishing coffee table books could be expensive! So, I opted out. Since the publishing industry was an unfamiliar terrain for me, every step came with its own set of lessons. It’s been a continuous learning,” she shares.
Throughout her journey, Kalpana found herself yearning for a book that mirrored her experiences — a narrative that chronicled the ups and downs of an organic farmer starting from scratch.
Kalpana harvests over 35 varieties of vegetables. (Supplied)
“Isn’t it heartening to read such books? To accompany someone through their trials and tribulations? That’s what makes books like ‘Under the Tuscan Sun’ so enjoyable! Technical books often skip over the roadblocks. Firsthand experiences matter, especially when someone starting is just as clueless as I was!” she expresses, as she shares the reason behind writing this book.
Kalpana portrays this sentiment in her book. She emphasises how dreams don’t materialise overnight. Once you dive in, it’s an all-or-nothing commitment. In her case, it meant starting from ground zero, even bidding farewell to her fulfilling teaching job.
However, Kalpana’s dedication to educating doesn’t wane. She continues to teach children about farming, acting as a mentor in various schools’ year-long gardening and farming programmes.
According to her, this is crucial for shaping mindful consumers and nurturing the next generation into mindful producers.
The continuity of such mentorship ensures a sustainable and thoughtful approach to farming for the generations to come.
A mentoring session is in progress. (Supplied)
“For five years now, the learning has been incredible. I witness children heading home, sparking conversations with their parents about organic produce and heirloom seed varieties. Some have even played a pivotal role in persuading their parents to directly support farmers by purchasing produce,” she enthusiastically explains.
On the outskirts of Chennai, within her half-acre farm, Kalpana manages an almost self-sustaining haven with over 50 fruit trees and flower saplings, and harvests over 35 varieties of vegetables.
Kalpana’s ultimate goal is to transform her farm into a fully self-sustaining entity, providing her family with clean, toxin-free, and nutritious food. Her book intertwines the details of this journey.
The exploration of the farm-to-table experience within her book not only creates a desire to head to the nearest nursery but also ignites a passion for investing in fresh produce and whipping healthy, homemade meals.
Kalpana guides readers through this journey, sprinkling it with occasional recipes.
Kalpana’s ultimate goal is to transform her farm into a fully self-sustaining entity. (Supplied)
My personal favourite is the zesty marinara sauce, which she boldly claims in her book that “it’s the best recipe one will find!”
Discussing the current state of the food industry, she observes, “The food industry is going through a very alarming change. Every product goes through some stage of coating with chemicals. And this starts when it’s just a seed.”
She notes that the produce from her farm has a limited shelf life, emphasising, “It has to be harvested and immediately cooked. That’s when the nutrients will be retained.”
Recognising that not everyone can afford to cultivate a farm, Kalpana imparts advice that is accessible to all: “You can become anyone in your life – an astronaut, a business person, a teacher, a writer. But whatever you become, learn to appreciate your food and learn to grow at least one plant.”
She firmly believes that cultivating even one plant has the power to reshape your perspective, prompting personal growth and inspiring you to explore further ways to appreciate and connect with food.
Emphasising the urgency of becoming conscious consumers, Kalpana insists, “It’s the need of the hour. To pause and understand what is sowed, where the food is coming from, and what pursuits you are engaging yourself in.”
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This shift in perspective, she says can potentially save people from “the lakhs spent on medical bills.”
Reflecting on her writing process, Kalpana shares it has enriched her farming journey.
“It has empowered me to articulate my emotions and experiences. When I revisit the book now, encountering situations similar to those I wrote about, my reactions are different. The way I handle circumstances has evolved. Bringing it all together in a book has been an incredible journey,” she concludes.
To immerse yourself in the farm life, visit kalpavrikshafarms.com. Instagram @Kalpana.manivannan. The book is available on Amazon.
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