THAVANA FARM

Penang, Malaysia

Farmer: Dr Tharun K. Pillai

With a background that brings science and curiosity to the land, Dr. Tharun approaches farming as both a practice and an experience. Growing mixed vegetables alongside perennials, his farm is a place for precision, refinement and exploring what’s possible when a system is already working.

Thavana Farm also has one of the highest baseline soil organic carbon amounts amongst our pilot farms, allowing him to focus on mineral/pH balance and crop diversification instead. The SHE Intelligence team recommends using standardised compost and organic inputs, refining the input for both annual and perennial systems for better nutrient cycling, and increasing crop diversity with an annual crop sequence.

Dr. Tharun's scientific training makes regenerative farming an immediate sell, and he genuinely believes in the potential of nature-friendly farming to restore our ecosystem.

“The aspiration is to restore soil health while producing resilient, healthy food through regenerative farming that benefits both the environment and the surrounding community.”

— Dr. Tharun K. Pillai

Bukit Mertajam, Penang

Farm size: 5 acres