Inspired by his father and grandfather, Manikandan's lifelong passion for gardening blossomed into a thriving venture, 'Hyperfarms.' Through his efforts, he has empowered over 5,000 individuals to create their own gardens, fostering sustainable living and spreading joy.
After a decade in the IT industry, Manikandan rediscovered his love for gardening in 2007 when he settled in Bengaluru. Lacking access to materials, he started a blog, Geek Gardener. “I wanted to share this information with other avid gardeners who could benefit from it,” he recalls.
“I saw the potential to make a real impact,” he shares. His venture focused on setting up urban kitchen gardens and selling gardening supplies.
Manikandan explored hydroponics — a soilless farming technique that uses nutrient-rich water — when heavy pots made rooftop gardening challenging. This innovation not only boosted his productivity but also sparked the idea for Hyperfarms.
Through Hyperfarms, Manikandan has established large-scale hydroponic farms for entrepreneurs. One such client, Prasanth Ramachandran, grows 22 varieties of greens on a half-acre farm in Tamil Nadu, supplying fresh produce to major cities like Bengaluru and Mumbai.
Manikandan’s farm in Bengaluru produces 8-10 tonnes of greens monthly, including spinach, arugula, and bok choy. These are sold to aggregators like Greenz, which supplies apartment complexes.
The DIY kits offered by Hyperfarms have empowered thousands. Homemaker Arati Chawla now grows okra, brinjal, and lettuce on her terrace. “Sometimes the produce is so much, I share it with others,” she beams, calling gardening her “best new hobby.”
Hyperfarms also conducts workshops and training programmes to address the lack of skilled farmers. “We want to teach people not just to grow, but to grow well,” says Manikandan, who hopes to normalise agriculture as a modern pursuit.
The path to sustainable gardening is fraught with challenges. From shifting consumer perceptions about premium produce to advocating for hydroponics, Manikandan faces numerous hurdles.
"People are often reluctant to pay for high-quality food, and hydroponics still requires greater recognition," he explains. Despite these obstacles, Manikandan remains optimistic about the future of sustainable practices.
“I want to make the best-tasting fresh food available to people as a grower. Eating these should bring them joy as well as health” says Manikandan. With his wife Vinitha managing sales and a team supporting operations, he continues to nurture his dream.