Clean Future engages in a conversation with Dr. Gayatri B. Aiyer—Founder and Managing Partner of Salvia Eco Agri Farm—an inspiring haven where the health of the soil, the human spirit, and sustainable living come together in harmony.
You transitioned from army service to sustainable farming. What sparked this change, and how does it guide Salvia’s mission today?
Our veterans say that the Army taught them discipline and long-term thinking along with a host of other skills! So after we left, we started looking at another kind of security and that was, food and land. We saw soil getting exhausted, farmers under pressure, Vidarbha up close, and climate risks. That is what pushed us to set up Salvia, a farm with purpose beyond harvest and land use. We plan for resilience, use resources carefully, and focus on systems that can hold up under stress. The idea is simple: farming should strengthen the land and the people depending on it, not wear them down.
Salvia works with vertical farming, food forests, and regenerative methods. How do these practices fit into one sustainable system?
We don’t treat these as separate models; they are different segments of one system. Vertical farming handles high-efficiency, water-light crop production. Food forests focus on long-term ecology, biodiversity, and perennial yields. Regenerative methods are the glue. In simple terms, they mean improving soil health, reducing external inputs, and letting natural systems do more of the work. Things like composting, mulching, crop diversity, and minimal soil disturbance. Each segment solves a different problem, but together they create a farming system that is productive, resilient, and much easier on land and water.
Energy use is a key issue in agriculture. What clean or energy-efficient practices help Salvia lower its environmental impact?
Energy use matters because it directly affects both costs and emissions. We keep it simple: solar where possible, gravity-fed irrigation instead of pumps, and energy-efficient climate controls in our vertical systems. We also design farms to rely less on machines and inputs. When soil is healthy, it needs less intervention. That alone cut energy use! The goal is to lower impact without adding complexity or cost for farmers.
Vertical farming is gaining momentum in India. How do hydroponics or aeroponics improve yield, water use, and scalability at Salvia?
At Salvia, vertical farming is based on soil and water systems that are naturally enriched with the right amendments. We do not remove soil, we have learned to use it better! We practice companion and cluster farming, where compatible crops are grown together to support natural pest control, better nutrient uptake, and more stable yields. For raw salad produce, we use Agri Homoeopathy instead of organic fertilizers to reduce the risk of bacterial contamination. This also supports our efforts with plant health and soil balance. Our approach uses significantly less water than open-field farming, supports year-round production, and scales well in limited spaces and challenging climates without placing added pressure on land or water resources. Or the people! Our tiny team of farmers is motivated and optimistic about the new methods we are bringing in, and we are all hopeful of the next generation being prosperous from farming.
Farmer education is central to your work. Can you share one clear example of how your training improved livelihoods or soil health?
We are working with small farmers who have depended on chemical inputs for a long time. Right now, it is very early days. Shifting to regenerative practices like composting, mulching, and crop diversity takes effort, and unlearning old ways does not happen overnight. That said, small changes are starting to show. Input costs are slowly coming down, the soil is holding moisture a little better, and crops seem to be coping more evenly with heat and irregular rainfall. These early signs matter. They help farmers build confidence and stay committed to the transition over time.
Eco-tourism brings awareness but also pressure. How do you balance visitor engagement with ecological protection on the farm?
Eco tourism at Salvia is still taking shape. What we are working towards is a small forest retreat with very limited guests, rooted in the experience of a forest and farm. It is meant to feel calm, thoughtful, and unhurried. The idea is to let people spend time in a working landscape and understand soil, water, plants, and food systems. By keeping it small and intentional, we can offer a meaningful stay without putting pressure on the land.
Looking ahead, what innovations or partnerships will define Salvia’s growth in clean and regenerative agriculture over the next 10 years?
Our minds are on practical innovation. This includes better farm monitoring, climate-resilient farming practices, and decentralized clean energy that works at a local scale. Partnerships will be just as important. We plan to work closely with research institutions, farmer groups, and policymakers to build regional food systems that are resilient, regenerative, and easy to replicate. The aim is steady, grounded growth rather than rapid expansion.
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