Start-ups take up initiatives to understand farming better

Smile Settai, a popular social media group is working hard to give the protest more mileage “We have been there for a few days giving live updates and uploading pictures. This is to make the youngsters aware of the struggles of farmers,” says Vignesh Kanth, founder of Smile Settai. Ram Kumar, co-founder of the group adds, “Our staff have decided to buy land to learn farming during weekends.” Start-ups are exploring ways to help farmers. Youth are looking forward to joining groups like the Weekend Agriculturists who visit villages to learn farming. 

“The farmers issue has made me aware about how little we know about agriculture. We are an agrarian economy and our shift towards an urban ghetto is alarming. Going with friends and family to a farm and offering help will support them,” says Hari Kumar, an IT employee. 

S Prabhala, the business partner at Naro Media says, “Soon after the jallikattu protests, we decided to connect with the farming community. We decided to educate youth about farming and connect them with farmers. We had decided to collaborate with Nel Jayaraman, for promoting organic farming. Alas, he has been diagnosed with cancer. So, our immediate plan of action is to get funds for his treatment.”