Farmer Reimagines Family Land Through Permaculture and Local Enterprise

Apuroop Arja grew up on his family’s farm, but he first wanted a career in polymers.

A friend introduced him to permaculture, a way of farming that works with nature.

Apuroop tried these ideas on four acres near Kurnool with his mother.

At first, very few people came to buy their organic vegetables.

They donated leftover produce to ashrams and temples.

Later, more people discovered the farm shop and began buying everything early in the morning.

The small experiment eventually became difficult because construction changed the area’s water systems and economics.

Apuroop then used what he learned to develop Ervana Wildfarms with rainwater tanks, local workers and regional food.