He Left a Tech Career to Build a Food Forest in Kerala
What if the career you built in front of a computer could eventually lead you back to the land?
For Shihab Kunhahammed, a Kerala-based IT professional, that became reality.
After completing his Bachelor of Technology, Shihab spent nearly a decade working in the technology sector. He built a corporate career, but farming remained a strong personal interest.
While working in Bengaluru, he began experimenting with rooftop farming and also contributed to the development of an app focused on organic farming. At the same time, he was working on a piece of land in Tamil Nadu.
For years, this meant travelling long distances between Bengaluru and the farm.
In 2021, he made a major career decision.
He left his corporate job and decided to work full-time in farming and agritourism.
But Shihab did not want to simply follow conventional farming methods.
Building a Food Forest Instead of a Traditional Farm
His approach was based on the idea of a regenerative food forest.
Instead of depending on a single crop, the farm was designed around biodiversity and natural ecosystems. The focus was on improving soil health, growing different types of plants together and creating a farming system that could remain productive over the long term.
This eventually became Kilukka Farms.
Today, the farm covers around 5 acres and has more than 100 varieties of edible and medicinal plants.
The farm includes fruits, nuts, spices, herbs, tubers and several other types of useful plants.
From Farming to a Larger Business
Building the farm required significant investment.
The project was developed with an investment of approximately ₹1.5 crore and follows a direct-to-consumer business model.
But the farm is not only focused on selling agricultural products.
It has also developed into an educational space, where people can learn about food forests, composting, ecological restoration and sustainable farming practices.
Workshops and educational programs have become another part of the farm’s activities.
The Numbers Behind the Journey
According to the information shared about the farm:
5-acre regenerative farm
100+ plant varieties
₹1–2 crore annual revenue
Workshops and educational programs
Focus on biodiversity and soil health
Shihab’s journey is an interesting example of how technology and agriculture can work together.
His experience in the technology industry did not disappear when he entered farming. Instead, his knowledge and interest in technology became part of a completely different journey.
Sometimes, a career can take you in an unexpected direction.
And for Shihab, years spent working in front of a computer eventually brought him closer to the land.
This is another story of an Indian entrepreneur creating a different path through farming, sustainability and innovation. 🇮🇳
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