The Lesson My Grandfather Taught Me! - Narrated by K. Vishnu, Sri Ambal Nursery Garden!

We met K. Vishnu from Alamarathur, Udumalpet Taluk, Tiruppur District, in Pollachi. A 35-year-old young man and an engineering graduate, he chose a different path. Instead of pursuing a conventional corporate career, he embraced agriculture—an industry filled with challenges, requiring hard work, patience, and resilience against nature’s unpredictability.

Modern science has provided us with many conveniences, yet it has also contributed to environmental pollution—contaminating water, land, and air. This pollution has led to climate instability, such as erratic monsoons, extreme temperatures, and prolonged droughts—challenges beyond human control. As a result, agricultural production and market stability are constantly affected, pushing many farmers into financial distress.

To escape this economic struggle and secure their children’s future, many farmers are selling their lands and shifting to other professions. However, Vishnu’s story is different. He has chosen to stay and invest his energy into farming.

The Importance of Agriculture

Hunger knows no class, age, or wealth. Farmers, as food producers, play a crucial role in feeding the world. As Thiruvalluvar said, even ascetics who renounce all worldly attachments depend on farmers for sustenance. The same Thiruvalluvar, while defining a prosperous nation, states:

“A land is truly great when it is free from hunger, disease, and conflict.”

Here, the primary concern is eradicating hunger, which is only possible through agriculture. That’s why farming is considered the first and foremost profession in the world.

In a time when many farmers are abandoning agriculture, young individuals like Vishnu, who are stepping into farming with passion and dedication, deserve support, encouragement, and recognition.

A Family Legacy in Farming

To learn about Vishnu’s agricultural experiences, we traveled to his hometown, Alamarathur—a region rich in coconut groves and greenery. Upon meeting him, he warmly welcomed us and took us on a tour of his farm.

Vishnu shared his journey:

“I completed my engineering degree in Chennai. Instead of taking up a job, I wanted to start my own business. At that time, my grandmother advised me—’When we have farming that provides a stable income, why look elsewhere? Take responsibility and continue farming.’ Her love and concern for me made me accept her advice. Since 2004, I have been fully involved in agriculture.”

Dr. Kannan’s Farm (Doctor’s Garden)

Vishnu’s farm is widely known as “Doctor’s Garden” because of his father, Dr. Kannan, a retired veterinary doctor with a B.V.Sc degree. The farm spans 40 acres of ancestral land, where three generations have cultivated coconut trees.

“My grandfather started farming here, then my father, and now I am carrying forward the responsibility,” says Vishnu.

The farm has around 3,000 coconut trees, including those planted by his grandfather (40 years old), his father (25 years old), and his own (10 and 3 years old).

Water Management & Irrigation

The region is classified as drought-prone, with groundwater levels at 800 feet below the surface. However, their farmland benefits from the Parambikulam-Azhiyar Irrigation Project, which provides canal water for 20–30 days during the monsoon. When canal water is unavailable, they rely on one open well and four bore wells for irrigation.

To manage water efficiently, they use drip irrigation, ensuring that even in dry conditions, their trees grow well and produce high yields.

Coconut Varieties & Maintenance

The farm cultivates coconut varieties such as Tiptur Tall, Arasampatti Tall, and West Coast Tall. Their land has clayey soil, requiring 100 liters of water per tree every four days.

Fertilization is done four times a year:

June & December: 250g urea, 1kg DAP, 1kg potash, 500g micronutrient mix (iron, calcium, magnesium)
September & March: 25kg compost, 2kg neem cake, 300g coconut husk compost

They also combat whitefly and eriophyid mite infestations by applying 10ml Monocrotophos in 50ml water at the tree base.

Harvest & Market Price

Harvesting occurs every 40-50 days. After dehusking, coconuts are sold by weight. Currently, the market price is ₹23,500 per ton. They also sell coconuts for copra (dried coconut) and saplings.

Sri Ambal Nursery Garden

Vishnu took his grandfather’s lesson to heart. Inspired by his maternal grandfather Kalyanasamy, who ran a coconut nursery 30 years ago, Vishnu applied for certification from the Tamil Nadu Seed Certification Department and officially launched Sri Ambal Nursery Garden in 2017.

Located 3 km from Udumalpet on the Udumalpet-Pollachi road, the nursery produces high-quality Tiptur Tall coconut saplings, along with hybrid varieties like Tall × Dwarf, Dwarf × Tall, and Dwarf Tender Coconut.

Coconut Sapling Production Process

Collecting mature coconuts from genetically superior mother trees.
Selecting the best nuts and allowing them to rest for one month.
Placing them in a coir dust bed for sprouting.
Watering twice a week, leading to sprouting within 2 to 2.5 months.
Transferring 2-2.5 feet saplings to bags for further growth.
Selling 3-6 leaf stage saplings, ideal for planting.

Why Tiptur Tall Coconuts?

Begins yielding in 3.5-4 years.
Produces 180-220 coconuts per year.
Minimal summer shedding of tender coconuts.
High disease resistance.
Coconut clusters attach firmly, reducing fruit drop.
Produces 15-18kg copra per 100kg of coconuts.
75% oil extraction rate per 100kg copra.
Requires 25ft spacing (70-72 trees per acre).

Additional Saplings Available

Recognizing diverse farmer needs, the nursery also sells:

Mango: Banganapalli, Imam Pasand, Alphonso, Neelum, Mallika, Bengaluru varieties.
Lemon: Balaji, Market Lime varieties.
Amla (Gooseberry): NA-47, Bhavanisagar.
Sapota: PKM-3, Kalipatti grafted variety.
Guava: Taiwan Pink, Red Guava, Lucknow 45.
Jackfruit: Singapore, Vietnam Super Early, Red Jack.
Orange: Sathgudi, Poona varieties.
Water Apple: Pink, White, Green varieties.
Starfruit, Singapore Cherry, Pomegranate, Almond trees.
Timber Trees: Teak, Mahogany, Casuarina, Shade Trees (Neem, Pungan, etc.).

Encouraging Tree Planting

Vishnu emphasizes the need for afforestation:
“Rain follows trees. The more trees we plant, the more rain we receive. Planting trees is an investment in our future.”

His Sri Ambal Nursery Garden provides expert guidance to home gardeners and farmers looking to establish orchards.