From IT to Organic Farming: How Madhu Chandan is Reviving Sustainable Agriculture in Mandya
Introduction:
India’s agriculture, once the backbone of its economy, has struggled over the last three to four decades. Farmers face immense hardships while feeding over 1.4 billion people daily. Amid this crisis, visionary individuals like Madhu Chandan SC are bringing hope.
From a successful career in IT across the USA, UK, Israel, and Germany, Madhu returned to his ancestral village in Mandya with a mission: to revive organic and profitable farming practices while training the next generation of farmers.
This is the story of how one man’s experiment is inspiring city dwellers and farmers alike to embrace sustainable agriculture.
1. The Journey from Software to Soil
Madhu’s journey is inspiring:
“Witnessing our farmers struggle and their children leave agriculture, I asked myself-can I contribute to my village as an engineer?”
Leaving behind a thriving software career in America, he returned to Suunagahalli, Mandya, and began experimenting with organic farming based on ancestral methods, rather than modern monoculture techniques.
2. Learning from the Past: Ancestral Farming Practices
Through eight years of experimentation, Madhu Chandan revived traditional farming techniques:
-
Crop diversity over monoculture – growing multiple crops instead of a single crop.
-
Natural soil enrichment – avoiding chemical fertilizers, focusing on compost and organic manure.
-
Sustainable yield methods – first using produce for personal sustenance, then selling the surplus.
“Our ancestors didn’t farm for profit alone; they farmed to sustain themselves and their community. That wisdom is what we aim to revive.”
3. Organic Mandya Farmers Foundation: Training and Empowerment
Madhu founded the Organic Mandya Farmers Foundation to:
-
Train farmers in organic methods.
-
Improve yields and profitability.
-
Promote environmental sustainability and health.
“Before selling to neighbors or the market, farmers should first use their produce for themselves. Sustainability starts at home.”
4. Engaging the Urban Youth: “I Need to Do This Project”
To prove that city residents can learn and profit from farming, Madhu launched a six-month live training program:
-
Thousands applied.
-
14 participants were shortlisted, mostly IT professionals with little or no farming experience.
-
Participants learned hands-on organic farming techniques and crop marketing strategies.
“By involving newcomers, we not only motivate experienced farmers but also inspire beginners to grow crops and earn income.”
5. Lessons Learned from the Experiment
From this project, several insights have emerged:
Listicle: Key Takeaways
-
Hands-on experience is vital – City residents can successfully adapt to farming with proper guidance.
-
Sustainability works – Organic methods improve soil health and long-term productivity.
-
Profitability is possible – Growing diverse crops ensures better income.
-
Community involvement matters – Sharing produce and learning together fosters resilience.
-
Technology + tradition – Modern knowledge combined with ancestral farming creates scalable results.
Final Thoughts
Madhu Chandan’s journey shows that urbanites can reconnect with agriculture, learn sustainability, and transform rural livelihoods. Organic Mandya stands as a beacon for farmers and beginners, proving that profitable, eco-friendly farming is not just possible-it’s the future of Indian agriculture.
“Sustainable agriculture is not about following trends-it’s about respecting the land, learning from our ancestors, and feeding generations responsibly.”
