IIT-Madras organises Youth Farming Conclave
We The Leaders Foundation organized Youth Farming Conclave 2025 in collaboration with several organizations.
This conclave marks a major step forward in youth-led agricultural transformation in Tamil Nadu.
The event was held at IIT Madras Research Park to demonstrate how modern technology, sustainable practices, and traditional farming knowledge can come together.
This one-day conclave brought together young farmers, students, agri-innovators, and institutional leaders to collectively reimagine agriculture as a space for innovation, regeneration, and youth-led enterprise.
Addressing the event, Mr. Manoj Kumar, CEO, Naandi Foundation, said the Foundation has managed to convert one million farmers to organic farming. "Most of our work is in Andhra Pradesh, Punjab, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh. We might want to start in Tamil Nadu also".
In the last 25 years, the entire focus of the Foundation has been to make people ask three questions
--Has the farmer, who made this food that has come to my plate, made profits or is he loss-making? Is this food good for me? By the time this food has come to my plate, how much has it damaged this planet?, he said.
Mr. Manoj Kumar said 'How do we ensure that everyone always eat quality food? We have tests
to ensure that every food is safe and we should make it the normal. If we want the planet to be regenerated, like the cells in our body, that is the correct way to grow food. We have successfully implemented this in Araku Valley. The only way we can do all of this is if the country decides to go back to its roots.'
Speaking about the 'Internship for Farmers' initiative launched during the conclave, former IPS Officer K. Annamalai, who is the Chief Mentor, We The Leaders Foundation, said the 'Internship initiative will provide an exposure to those interested in agriculture.
Eight organic farmers have come forward to open their doors to youngsters interested in learning about agriculture.
The objective is to plant the seed of farming in the mind of youngsters while they are pursuing studies.
The benefits of such initiatives will be felt in the generations to come, he said.
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