Life could be very simple if it is lived like M N Giri. In Kochi's IT hub Kakkanad, he runs a dairy farm, a family business he has carried on for the past few years. A passionate traveller, Giri keeps 15 days every year for a journey to the Himalayas, a practice he has followed for the past decade. His adventures include trekking 50–60 km stretches to Amarnath and scaling other challenging peaks during his earlier expeditions. A graduate in Sociology, Giri didn't bother looking for any other job. He chose to rear cows and sell milk just like he was taught in his childhood.

Spread over just 10 cents, his farm is home to 18 cows, including HF, Jersey, Gir, and other variants, as well as three buffaloes. What sets this farm apart is not just its location but its continuity. Giri hails from a family with a farming background. “Our family has kept cows for the last seven generations. As a child, I used to deliver milk to local societies from our farm,” he recalls.

In 2000, Giri transformed this in-house setup into a full-fledged dairy business. “It was my mother, Chellamma, who managed the farm mostly. She produced homemade ghee, curd, butter, and other dairy products, which were in high demand. She passed away three years ago at the age of 92,” he adds. Today, the farm focuses solely on milk production.

“Earlier, we fed the cows with fresh grass and groundnut cake, but the availability of fresh grass is limited these days. Now, we use feed supplied by government agencies such as the Dairy Development Department,” Giri explains.

Cow dung disposal remains a challenge. “Most other farmers buy it as fertiliser for rubber trees. Beyond that, it is difficult to manage,” he says. Despite the challenges, Giri emphasises that cow farming can be a reliable source of income. “A typical family can live comfortably with five cows. Each cow can yield a daily return of around ₹365,” he notes. Currently, his farm produces 70–80 litres of milk daily, attracting local customers who come to collect fresh, pure milk every morning.

Calf care is a priority for Giri, particularly as the number of cows in the state declines. “The government recommends sourcing cows from Tamil Nadu. However, if proper calf care is ensured, there is no need to import cows from other states. The authorities should consider introducing a subsidy scheme for calf care,” he suggests.

Family support remains central to the farm’s operation. Giri has three siblings. Giri’s brother, Jayaprakash, actively helps manage the day-to-day activities. His niece, Dhaksha, a Class 5 student, takes particular care of the cows. “She has named each one and insists that none be sold. We only sell when she is not around,” Giri laughs.

A bachelor, Giri balances his farming life with travel, visiting the Himalayas every year. During his trips, the family ensures the farm runs smoothly, maintaining the legacy that spans seven generations. Giri completed a PG Diploma in Gandhi and Peace Studies from IGNOU in 2024, inspired by his deep admiration for Gandhi and the values he upheld.