When the Covid-19 pandemic forced the world to adapt to remote work, 39-year-old Anoop K S of Wayanad in Kerala saw it as an opportunity to return to his roots. A specialist in supercomputing and semiconductor technology with an IT company in the United States, Anoop utilised the Work From Home option to successfully build a dairy farm at his native place in Muttil without leaving his job.
Utilising his free time after attending to his official assignments with the California-based company, Anoop along with his wife Athira Ajith now runs an ultra modern dairy farm that not only produces over 600 litres of milk every day but also sells value-added products like ghee, paneer, and curd under the brand name “Dairy Dame”.
Though his dairy farm has grown into a successful venture with over 14 full time workers and his products being sold across India through an e-commerce portal, Anoop still continues with his WFH job with the US company. He continues to work remotely for his US-based company while managing his farm operations, often starting his day with virtual meetings before heading to the cowsheds. For him, the dual life of a techie and farmer is not a burden but a source of balance and fulfilment.
“I work for nearly 16 hours a day. I work eight hours for the US company and the remaining eight hours on my dairy farm. I have been delivering results in my job and my business. I don’t think I need to quit my job to manage the dairy farm,” Anoop told “Open Digest“.
Anoop, who had spent 14 years working in IT firms across several countries, never felt truly settled anywhere. In 2020, when work-from-home became the new normal, he returned from California.
As he had no prior experience in dairy farming, he researched the field rigorously and visited dairy farms in Kerala to understand best practices in cattle rearing. What began with three buffaloes in 2020 soon grew into a thriving farm that now houses 64 cows and a few goats.
“I visited a lot of dairy farms and interacted with the dairy farmers. Their valuable insights taught me what needs to be followed to establish a successful dairy farm,” Anoop said. Over the last four years, Anoop has built a robust dairy business that supplies milk and produces value-added products like ghee, paneer, and curd.
Supporting him in this venture is his wife, Athira Ajith, who manages the online sales and customer outreach for their products. Together, the couple has created a successful farm-to-home model that blends traditional agriculture with modern business strategies.
What sets Anoop apart from many first-generation farmers is his heavy reliance on technology. True to his background, he has introduced a data-driven approach to dairy farming. His cows are fitted with sensors that continuously track their health, diet, and milk output. The data is integrated into custom software, allowing precise monitoring and timely intervention. Nutrients and minerals are fed to the cattle based on individual requirements, ensuring high-quality milk production. Anoop also cultivates nutrient-rich Napier grass on his farm, ensuring a sustainable feed supply.
“I may have lived in different countries, but I never felt settled anywhere. Here in Wayanad, surrounded by my farm and family, I finally feel at home,” Anoop says with a smile.