Farming is not an easy task. One needs to dedicate considerable time and energy to successfully farm, especially organic vegetables. However, a 43-year-old techie from Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala has found an easy way to farm with the help of technology.
S Santhosh Kumar of Neyyatinkkara has developed an automated farm management system for a cost of Rs 20,000 to control his hydroponics farm—all from the convenience of his smartphone. Juggling his demanding office job with a love for farming, this tech enthusiast has taken a leap forward in agriculture by creating a fully automated setup that allows him to monitor and manage his crops remotely.
Santhosh Kumar has set up the automated farm on his 10 cents of land, which he bought exclusively for organic farming. “I started organic farming ten years back on the terrace of my house. I decided to take up organic farming seriously after purchasing the land three years ago. I opted for hydroponics because this soilless farming method was less labour-intensive compared to conventional farming methods. But I suffered a major crop loss when I couldn’t properly monitor the temperature and water flow. Being a UI and UX designer at a software company in Technopark, I loved my job and didn’t want to leave it for farming. So, I started looking for different technology that could help control my farm with a smartphone,” Santhosh Kumar told “Open Digest“.
Santhosh Kumar used a home automation software to develop the farming automation system. Though he had spent only Rs 20,000 on buying the necessary hardware for the system, he had to put in a huge effort to successfully develop it. “My skill helped me to develop the system,” he added. He now grows a variety of leafy greens and tomatoes at his hydroponic farm.
Using sensors and real-time data analytics, the custom-made system monitors environmental factors such as water levels, nutrient concentration, humidity, and temperature. Whenever adjustments are needed—whether it’s tweaking the nutrient mix or controlling the lighting—the system sends real-time alerts to his phone, allowing him to make necessary changes instantly. This level of automation ensures that the crops receive optimal care even when he’s occupied with his job.
Driven by a deep-rooted passion for farming, the techie said, “Farming has always been a dream of mine, but it was difficult to balance it with my office work. Developing this system was my way of staying connected to something I love.”
Inspired by the success of his small-scale project, he now aims to take things further. The techie is working on developing a user-friendly automated farming system that will allow anyone to set up and manage a hydroponic farm in a limited space. He envisions this as a solution for urban dwellers who want to grow fresh, leafy vegetables right in their homes, without needing extensive farming knowledge or time.
