Community experiences are all the rage, from art workshops and jam sessions to nature walks and terrarium-making. As working professionals look for ways to disconnect from the corporate hustle, farm clubs in Gurgaon run by ex-professionals are offering them a chance to get their hands dirty, grow their own produce and reconnect with nature. Gurgaon’s remaining farmland is becoming an escape of sorts for those looking to trade the office for the khet, if only for a weekend.
People are looking for a relationship with nature
Farming is not everyone’s cup of teaWhile starting a farm from scratch may not be for everyone, farm clubs allow professionals to purchase a patch of land and with assistance from traditional farmers, nurture and grow their produce.Noting the specific appeal to urban farming, Mukesh Rana, co-founder of Gurgaon Farm Club who left his corporate job two years ago, says, “After the pandemic, we have seen the appeal grow. Everybody wants to do it because farming looks very lucrative, but there are a lot of challenges. We take care of those challenges while allowing people to fulfil their dream of farming. If someone rents a small piece of land and manages it themselves, it can cost at least ₹50,000 a month to maintain. Our model allows them to enjoy the experience without having to take on all those responsibilities themselves.”
Kapil says urban farming appeals to corporate professionals seeking relief from work stress
Kapil Mandawewala was working in finance in the US before he came back to India and started Edible Routes in 2014. “I had already been farming for about six years before I started this. And this was just an extension of it. That was pure farming I was doing. But then gradually, I shifted into urban farming because I was enjoying this process more,” he says. Talking about the shift, he adds, “It’s been very fulfilling, but a very slow process at the same time. Because in nature you have to go with the yearly seasonal cycles. Things take time to grow and build. I’ve enjoyed it, but it takes a lot of time.” He adds that due to the time-consuming and expensive nature of the process, many people give up early on, or hesitate to begin their journey.People are looking for a relationship with natureManas Arvind, co-founder of Gurgaon Organic Farmers Market who has been organising the weekly market for five years shares how urban farming is changing Gurgaon’s landscape. “Gurgaon was essentially a city that grew over agricultural land as an extension of the National Capital Region. A large part of the original agricultural land was eventually acquired or sold for development. Many of the intergenerational farming families moved away from farming as land values increased. At the same time, people who came to Gurgaon for corporate jobs, businesses and professional opportunities began looking for a different relationship with land and nature.”Kapil notes why urban farming is an option for corporate professionals, “It’s probably the burnout of working in the corporate world, the stress. And gaining a better connection to food and nature. Humans are naturally inclined towards that. It’s just a matter of being open to it.”
Farm clubs allow professionals to purchase a patch of land and, with assistance from traditional farmers, nurture and grow their produce
Focus on organic produce, inclusivityMukesh shares, “We have a members’ community where we share knowledge about farming practices, especially during the sowing season. It’s a community where we share knowledge and work together. Once a month, we also organise a high tea for members, where they can meet, make new friends and spend time together. So it’s a combination of social and technical aspects — we grow natural food, meet regularly, spend time at the farm, connect with nature and learn about farming.”Talking about the growth of the ecosystem, Manas says, “I’m very positive about urban farming. But I don’t think the future should be about creating an exclusive club of affluent urban people who can afford to farm. Inclusivity is the key challenge. We need to bring traditional farmers, small farmers, urban farmers, consumers, young people and food entrepreneurs into the same ecosystem.” While Kapil adds, “Getting organic produce is a part of the aspiration. But I won’t say urban farming is growing. It’s quite stable. There is a very small group of people who enjoy this activity. I would not say it’s grown significantly but there is a study stream of people who want to get into this.”
If you look only at the economics, farming in Gurgaon may not make sense. But if you include health, joy, community, nature and quality of life, the equation changes completely.
Manas Arvind, co-founder of Gurgaon Organic Farmers Market
‘It required a shift in mindset, from a routine job to a new world without an immediate, regular source of income’
‘Wanted to step back from corporate’Mekhla Maheshwari, founder of Zemya Farms in Gurgaon shares, “I started Zemya as I wanted to step back from corporate and follow a bit of my passion of connecting back to the earth and soil, making our urban lives more meaningful and connected to natural surroundings and living. That’s what made me passionate about building a place that brings more urban people to experience the joy of growing their food and connect back to the earth and soil in the times that we live in. The disconnect with food in people in urban cities is real and that’s what people are looking for. A place that they can trust, which is affordable and also addresses getting back the connection to the natural environment and food.”Talking about the shift from corporate, she says, “Initially, it was full of excitement in the beginning, but the practical aspects started hitting too. Finding the right farmer teams, managing the expectations of farm members with seasonal cycles and operational challenges — there were many challenges, but it has also been a very fulfilling and meaningful experience, full of new learnings. It required a shift in mindset, from a routine job to a new world without an immediate, regular source of income.“
