Sheer determination and hardwork are the two basic qualities embedded deep into him, beginning his career as a medical representative, now operates 400 crore business enterprise. The journey started 30 years back, which has grown into international reckoning with an international pharmaceutical marketing company, trading and a manufacturing unit Fondly called by his friends as Shiva, Shiva Kumar Balakrishnan has his empire spread over 35 countries.
The early days of his professional life had its own share of struggles and hard work. With every obstacle that he faced, was made into a stepping stone which has helped him reach heights.
As life progressed he found his calling that something remarkable in life needs to be done not just for himself but in the larger interest of the society. Thus was born the concept of Swadharma which has become a pivotal point in his life. He is now involved in Natural Farming, more often called Organic Farming wherein he cultivates traditional Indian varieties of crops that includes vegetables. pulses, rice and fruits. Taking the help of his friend, he started setting up his own farm, MIT. Located by the Bhavani near Sathyamangalam, Erode District and in Nilgiris, his 85 Acres farm is a USDA/EU certified organic farm. It boasts of native varieties of vegetables that are being supplied to Coimbatore, Chennoi, Ponachi, Bangalore. Ooty and Erode on a concept of ‘farm to home’, where the fresh farm vegetables are being delivered directly from his farm to the consumer.
His mission in life is to bring bock at Host 5,00,000 acres of chemical based farmland into not rebased forming lands. His farm was chosen by the PMO as a model farm for large scale sustainable organic farming and more recently was selected as the most innovative farmer of the year by Krishi Vigyankendra (on ICAR body) and also recognized as a certified training school or organic farming.
His vision is to empower every single family of the nation to be able to consume naturally grown Organic food for healthy living as healthy living begins with eating healthy!
His success in the natural way of farming had made many heads turn as it was once considered as a cost intensive farming without much commercial benefits. This was a turning point where Shiva had inspired many other farmers in his neighbourhood initially and now across many states to actively take up natural farming which is healthy and economically viable.
His mission of converting atleast 5,00,000 acres into organic farming land seems to be reality as he is inching closer towards his goal every passing day. Going down the memory lane, it was a tough time when he was looking for employment to make his living but through his smart forming techniques combined with natural methods, today he is in a successful position where he inspires many and also in a strong position to provide employment to many more. He has just not brought a smile to the farmers face, he has also ensured that his knowledge supports many families. His success has also been shared to many when hecreated aninnouotiuernodelcalfed MIT-SATS. – SHIVAKUMAR BALAKRISHNAN
