For most people, retirement is about slowing down, enjoying comfort, and stepping away from work. But for 78-year-old HR Iyer from Chennai, retirement became the beginning of an entirely new journey — one that replaced the clanging of machines with the whisper of leaves, and steel with soil.
After spending over five decades in the engineering and steel industry, Iyer chose to walk away at 73 and start afresh as an organic farmer in the hills of Kodaikanal. Today, he looks back not with regret, but with deep fulfilment: “I left behind the world of profits and precision, but what I gained is priceless — peace, purpose, and joy.”
A Life Defined by Industry
Born and raised in Chennai, Iyer trained as a mechanical engineer and went on to build his own business. His company manufactured import-substitution equipment for India’s oil industry, a niche field that earned him recognition and success.
But years of chasing deadlines, balancing accounts, and dealing with the unrelenting pace of industrial life took their toll. “The business was stable, but I felt empty,” he recalls. “Something was missing. I was searching for meaning beyond bank balances and targets.”
The seed of change came from a simple, unexpected place — his factory canteen.
A Seed of Curiosity
As a goodwill gesture, Iyer offered free meals to his employees. Over time, he began questioning the quality of food being served. Curious, he tried growing vegetables organically for the canteen.
The results stunned him. “Freshly harvested vegetables tasted so different — richer, more alive,” he says. His employees agreed. That simple experiment sparked a quiet fascination: could farming be the path to the meaning he was seeking?
The thought lingered until one fateful trip to Tamil Nadu’s plantations.
A Walk Among the Hills
On a casual visit to a lush estate tucked in the hills, Iyer was struck by the serenity. “The greenery, the stillness, the connection to the earth — it was unlike anything in my industrial life,” he recalls. That moment sealed his decision.
At 73, he made a bold choice: after 51 years in steel, he shut down his factory and decided to become a farmer.
Building an Organic Haven
In 2021, Iyer purchased an 18-acre plantation near Kodaikanal. The land was uneven — some parts thriving, others barren. Reviving it became his mission.
He banned chemicals and plastics outright, enriched the soil with cow-dung-based manures like jeevamrut and panchagavya, and introduced drip irrigation. He even played classical music in the fields, believing it created a calming environment for plants.
The turning point came when his gardener called in alarm, reporting “an invasion” of worms. “I feared pests,” Iyer laughs. “But they were earthworms — so many you couldn’t walk without stepping on them! For me, it was proof that the soil was alive again.”
Over time, his farm began producing coffee, black pepper, and cardamom — all cultivated organically.
Struggles of a New Beginning
The transition wasn’t easy. Wild elephants, boars, and buffaloes often damaged crops, forcing Iyer to invest heavily in fencing. Training workers in organic methods required strict discipline. Procuring native cows for bio-fertilisers was another challenge.
Financially, the first two years were discouraging. Buyers undervalued his produce, and some never paid. “Those early losses taught me an important lesson — only sell to customers who respect quality and pay upfront,” he says. That one change helped stabilise his farm’s finances.
By the third year, the plantation became profitable, earning him around ₹5 lakh annually.
A Day on the Farm
The farm is now run by four permanent staff, along with daily wage workers during busy seasons. Yet Iyer remains actively involved.
Vimal, one of the workers, shares: “Each morning, we play classical music for the plants, then prepare fertilisers using cow dung and urine. Sir joins us often, guiding us through every step. His energy is inspiring.”
From sunrise to dusk, Iyer’s day follows the rhythm of the land — tending to soil, watching crops grow, and sipping coffee made from beans he harvested himself.
The Role of Family
Behind his journey lies strong family support. “My wife and daughter were shocked at first,” he admits. “Relatives praised me in public but doubted me in private. Yet my wife and daughter quietly carried the burden with me, never letting me feel alone. Over time, they grew to love the farm too.”
Their encouragement gave him the strength to persevere through setbacks.
Beyond Profit: A Life Reimagined
At 78, Iyer sees farming not as retirement but as rebirth. He still spends part of his time in Chennai, but his heart belongs to the hills of Kodaikanal.
“I left behind steel and machines, but gained something far richer,” he reflects. “My health improved, my mind is at peace, and I finally feel connected to life itself.”
His story proves that it’s never too late to change course — to step away from comfort and embrace passion.
An Inspiration for All
For those standing at life’s crossroads, Iyer’s journey offers a lesson: age is no barrier to reinvention. What matters is the courage to follow your heart.
In his own words: “It is never too late to begin again. If you have the will, the earth is always ready to welcome you.”