Bengaluru: Sameer Shivayogi Byakod could have easily stayed back in the Indian Silicon city to make a comfortable career and settle down in life. However, he chose to be different from the typical run-of-the-mill attitude and made his own headway to struggle and enjoy life the way it continues to unfold itself. Looking back, he admits to having taken the right decision at the right juncture. A peep into his interesting journey so far:
Schooling in Ranna Belagali: Sameer Shivayogi Byakod's family has settled down on their farm near Ranna Belagali village, close to Mahalingapura town of Mudhol Taluk in Bagalkote district., Karnataka. He had his schooling from the Bill Memorial School in Mudhol, which happened to be the only English medium school in the vicinity. Later, he went to Vyasankere, near Sandur for PUC in the Sandur Manganese & Iron Ores Limited (SMIORE) college and completed his mechanical engineering from the Gogate College of Engineering in Belagavi. Later he did his Diploma in Business Management and Entrepreneurship from EDI, Gujarat while working at his first job.
First job at the National Aerospace Laboratory(NAL): His first job was at the National Aerospace Laboratory(NAL) on Old Madras Road in Bengaluru as a Research Trainee working on preparing a feasibility report on High Altitude Airships. There were two positions, and Sameer and his friend got selected. After a year, he got selected for NAL Tech, an extension of the NAL on the payroll of NAL, and that position was for six months.
Urge to do something on one's own: Despite working with the NAL and NAL Tech, Sameer was always pondering doing something on his own, but didn't have sufficient experience to take the plunge. Belagavi is a hub for foundries and quite famous for the same, apart from having some good mechanical companies. But, to start a foundry or machine shop, one needed some contacts, capital and some expertise and an ecosystem. Sameer admits, "I didn't want to put my father's money into something which I myself was just learning.
The boss advises quitting the job: Sameer was reporting to Sidana, a Senior Consultant of Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment (ADRDE), located in Agra, a laboratory of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). His job was to make a feasibility report on the high-altitude airship, and it had to be submitted to the Government of India(GoI). Sameer confided in him on his idea of doing something of his own, down the line, say after five or 10 years. He also mentioned not being aware of where to begin, and in what way the present assignment would be of any help and requested help from him. This was way back in 2011-12. However, the boss was candid and clear. He, in turn, suggested that Sameer, first to think of it seriously and make up his mind, quit the job immediately.
Goodbye to the NAL Tech job: This is a comfortable job. You are a Trainee, in a couple of years or maybe 4-5 years, and if you are on roll as a full-time job, perhaps no one will think of quitting the job. If you are very interested in the research field, stick to this job, but if you are interested in being on your own, then quit this job, the boss told. Find a small job, not a high-paying job in a large organisation, so that you are exposed to all facets of the business. Heeding the advice of his boss, Sameer said goodbye to his job in NAL Tech after six months.
New job at Indo-US MIM Tech: Although Sameer bid adieu to his existing job, he had no idea where to try for a new one, as he had not applied anywhere earlier nor had he approached anyone from that prospect. "One of my friends suggested that there is a vacancy at Indo-US MIM Tech, a metal injection moulding company. They had a monopoly then and continue to have a majority market share. I applied for the position of a Product Development Engineer and submitted of having no prior relavant experience, having worked in a research-based organisation earlier", informs Sameer. Luckily for him, they were convinced, and he got a new job.
Good job, pay and food: The job was good, the pay was decent, and even the food was really good. However, the daily routine was very hectic as he was staying at Kadirayanapalya, near Indiranagar. He had to get up at 06 AM, get ready and reach the Tin Factory by around 07/07.30 AM to catch the factory bus, which used to ferry to the factory premises at Hosakote. In the evening, they used to leave at around 05.30/06 PM, and the way back used to be tedious due to the heavy traffic compared to the less, early morning. This went on for -10 months, and the idea of doing something on his own again started haunting him.
A chance visit to home changes life course: There were a couple of big assignments on hand at the job, and he had come home on the eve of some festival. He then broached the idea of doing something on his own. At the same time, it wasn't something which could be done in Ranna Balagali.
A variety of requirements: To do anything, one needed a conducive environment; if you intend to do a mechanical industry, you need raw materials from nearby places; you need the mechanising centres, there will be secondary processes, you need all that. Then they also thought of other businesses as well like polymers and drip irrigation. It was at this stage that his father suggested to him, "If you are interested, we already have this agri retail business, why not join my business of the retail shop? In the meantime, a renowned Bengaluru-based agricultural inputs company hiked up the prices like anything. It was at this moment that his father wondered if Sameer could give it a try to do something on his own.
Rise of prices leads to innovation: Meanwhile, a renowned Bengaluru-based agri input company exorbitantly raised the rates of its products. It was at this juncture that Sameer was advised by his father to think of starting something on his own. In a way, a steep hike in prices came in handy to think of exploring innovatively. Then, while at his day job, he approached a raw material supplier in Bengaluru to procure raw material to make some trials initially. The results were very encouraging, leading to buying the material in bulk.
Obliging attitude remains the same: Interestingly, there was no change in the attitude of the supplier. He was obliging even when Sameer had intended just 3-4 bags and remained so when the indent scaled up to truckloads! These days, he gets multiple tons of Zinc Sulphate and Ferrous Sulphate from him. Sameer is happy to make a noteworthy point of the supplier and his keenness, kindness and encouraging nature, irrespective of the quantum of purchase from him. He never looked down or grumbled at Sameer for buying only two bags earlier. In a way, Sameer feels fortunate enough that he happened to come across such kind and encouraging people.
Focus on one thing: It was at this stage that Sameer recollects," I consulted Dr Suvarna V Chavannavar Aunty, Professor in Agricultural Microbiology at the University of Agricultural Sciences, Bengaluru(UASB), on aspects related to microbiology, and everything and then realised the necessity of focusing on one thing. So I quit my job, and while quitting the job, I told Giriyappa, my boss and head of the Engineering division, about my plans. He wasn't convinced and was under the impression that I would be joining elsewhere. These days, people quitting their jobs and venturing into doing something of their own is quite common, but not during 2011-12. However, I pleaded with him to help me out, if I come back to him after a year or so, in case things don't work as desired. This was a backup move in mind".
Manufacturing of micro-nutrients: Later, Sameer returned to Belagali and launched the project of manufacturing micro-nutrients. He bought coloured bags available at village weekly markets, pasted a small sticker on them and started giving them for trials and later selling them. He applied for a licence, got it and set up a laboratory in a space of 2,000 square feet. Initially, he had nothing to show nor any machinery to show, as everything was done manually.
Ultimately, quality matters: Also, Sameer was least interested in doing something for showoff, and both father and son had a firm belief that ultimately, quality matters, and they were prepared to go to any extent to ensure the same. They started with micronutrients mixture, followed by a wetting agent, and growth promoters. They also introduced a chelated micronutrient mixture and tried very innovative packing methods with the help of PVOH or Polyvinyl Alcohol, a water-soluble synthetic polymer. Arrowhead Company was manufacturing these self-dissolving pouches, which were used to dissolve when they came in contact with moisture. In fact, they made very innovative trials, packaging methods, and products as well.
Another 8,000 square feet unit: They met, consulted and had a series of meetings with several scientists before formulating all these products, and the laboratory was set. In 2014-15, they started the new 8,000 square feet unit and another bigger unit of 12,000 square feet in 2019. They started with micronutrient mixtures and then included Neem manures manufacturing and trading of water-soluble fertilisers later. Things went well as planned.
Bought a cattle-feed plant in 2021: They bought a cattle-feed plant in 2021-22 to diversify, for facing any numbers of problems when it came to the recovery of money. Sameer admits candidly, "In our business, the biggest hurdle is the recovery of money or rotation of the capital. In fact, credit is a real big headache. People are nice when we approach and sell our products. However, it is a real big challenge while trying to recover the money, as it takes a heavy toll on patience, pressure and efforts on our part, for having no proper eco-system".
Neem processing and kernels: Then, they started with Neem processing and Neem kernels, which have huge potential. These days, everybody uses Neem fruit as a pest repellent or a nitrification inhibitor and has a tremendous scope as a bio-pesticide. Most of the produce that is brought to the factory is either crushed or passed by an expeller, while the oil is extracted in the expeller, and the cake ends up as a fertiliser. But much more efficiency can be derived when the kernel is taken.
The picking system is very poor in the state: Sameer opines, "For instance, Tamil Nadu and parts of Andhra Pradesh have a very beautiful set system in comparison to Karnataka. In Karnataka, the fruit is really very good, but the picking system is very poor, as nobody takes proper care. Actually, the fruits need to be dried to prevent fungal infection, but there is a lack of awareness about this aspect. We sell the seeds to the factories or to the people of Tamil Nadu, as it will be very bright and sunny weather there at the onset of the rainy season here. They have huge open yards to dry the fruits for 3-4 days, and stack them; derive the kernel, while sometimes the kernels are sent to bigger solvent extraction units. They also make kernels and oil.
Capital-intensive business: Although they bought the cattle feed plant in 2021-22, much before they had commissioned the Neem kernel extraction unit in 2018-19. They still have the latter, but feel very difficult to manage when it starts to rain. They ran the cattle feed unit for about two years and found it to be very capital-intensive, with a narrow margin, and requiring at least two full-time partners to focus completely on the business. They managed to run the unit for about three years, but were faced with enough difficulties in recovering the dues. Luckily for them, a person approached and offered to manage the unit on rent and has been doing very well. Now, they are concentrating only on the fertiliser part.
Schooling in Ranna Belagali: Sameer Shivayogi Byakod's family has settled down on their farm near Ranna Belagali village, close to Mahalingapura town of Mudhol Taluk in Bagalkote district., Karnataka. He had his schooling from the Bill Memorial School in Mudhol, which happened to be the only English medium school in the vicinity. Later, he went to Vyasankere, near Sandur for PUC in the Sandur Manganese & Iron Ores Limited (SMIORE) college and completed his mechanical engineering from the Gogate College of Engineering in Belagavi. Later he did his Diploma in Business Management and Entrepreneurship from EDI, Gujarat while working at his first job.
First job at the National Aerospace Laboratory(NAL): His first job was at the National Aerospace Laboratory(NAL) on Old Madras Road in Bengaluru as a Research Trainee working on preparing a feasibility report on High Altitude Airships. There were two positions, and Sameer and his friend got selected. After a year, he got selected for NAL Tech, an extension of the NAL on the payroll of NAL, and that position was for six months.
Urge to do something on one's own: Despite working with the NAL and NAL Tech, Sameer was always pondering doing something on his own, but didn't have sufficient experience to take the plunge. Belagavi is a hub for foundries and quite famous for the same, apart from having some good mechanical companies. But, to start a foundry or machine shop, one needed some contacts, capital and some expertise and an ecosystem. Sameer admits, "I didn't want to put my father's money into something which I myself was just learning.
The boss advises quitting the job: Sameer was reporting to Sidana, a Senior Consultant of Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment (ADRDE), located in Agra, a laboratory of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). His job was to make a feasibility report on the high-altitude airship, and it had to be submitted to the Government of India(GoI). Sameer confided in him on his idea of doing something of his own, down the line, say after five or 10 years. He also mentioned not being aware of where to begin, and in what way the present assignment would be of any help and requested help from him. This was way back in 2011-12. However, the boss was candid and clear. He, in turn, suggested that Sameer, first to think of it seriously and make up his mind, quit the job immediately.
Goodbye to the NAL Tech job: This is a comfortable job. You are a Trainee, in a couple of years or maybe 4-5 years, and if you are on roll as a full-time job, perhaps no one will think of quitting the job. If you are very interested in the research field, stick to this job, but if you are interested in being on your own, then quit this job, the boss told. Find a small job, not a high-paying job in a large organisation, so that you are exposed to all facets of the business. Heeding the advice of his boss, Sameer said goodbye to his job in NAL Tech after six months.
New job at Indo-US MIM Tech: Although Sameer bid adieu to his existing job, he had no idea where to try for a new one, as he had not applied anywhere earlier nor had he approached anyone from that prospect. "One of my friends suggested that there is a vacancy at Indo-US MIM Tech, a metal injection moulding company. They had a monopoly then and continue to have a majority market share. I applied for the position of a Product Development Engineer and submitted of having no prior relavant experience, having worked in a research-based organisation earlier", informs Sameer. Luckily for him, they were convinced, and he got a new job.
Good job, pay and food: The job was good, the pay was decent, and even the food was really good. However, the daily routine was very hectic as he was staying at Kadirayanapalya, near Indiranagar. He had to get up at 06 AM, get ready and reach the Tin Factory by around 07/07.30 AM to catch the factory bus, which used to ferry to the factory premises at Hosakote. In the evening, they used to leave at around 05.30/06 PM, and the way back used to be tedious due to the heavy traffic compared to the less, early morning. This went on for -10 months, and the idea of doing something on his own again started haunting him.
A chance visit to home changes life course: There were a couple of big assignments on hand at the job, and he had come home on the eve of some festival. He then broached the idea of doing something on his own. At the same time, it wasn't something which could be done in Ranna Balagali.
A variety of requirements: To do anything, one needed a conducive environment; if you intend to do a mechanical industry, you need raw materials from nearby places; you need the mechanising centres, there will be secondary processes, you need all that. Then they also thought of other businesses as well like polymers and drip irrigation. It was at this stage that his father suggested to him, "If you are interested, we already have this agri retail business, why not join my business of the retail shop? In the meantime, a renowned Bengaluru-based agricultural inputs company hiked up the prices like anything. It was at this moment that his father wondered if Sameer could give it a try to do something on his own.
Rise of prices leads to innovation: Meanwhile, a renowned Bengaluru-based agri input company exorbitantly raised the rates of its products. It was at this juncture that Sameer was advised by his father to think of starting something on his own. In a way, a steep hike in prices came in handy to think of exploring innovatively. Then, while at his day job, he approached a raw material supplier in Bengaluru to procure raw material to make some trials initially. The results were very encouraging, leading to buying the material in bulk.
Obliging attitude remains the same: Interestingly, there was no change in the attitude of the supplier. He was obliging even when Sameer had intended just 3-4 bags and remained so when the indent scaled up to truckloads! These days, he gets multiple tons of Zinc Sulphate and Ferrous Sulphate from him. Sameer is happy to make a noteworthy point of the supplier and his keenness, kindness and encouraging nature, irrespective of the quantum of purchase from him. He never looked down or grumbled at Sameer for buying only two bags earlier. In a way, Sameer feels fortunate enough that he happened to come across such kind and encouraging people.
Focus on one thing: It was at this stage that Sameer recollects," I consulted Dr Suvarna V Chavannavar Aunty, Professor in Agricultural Microbiology at the University of Agricultural Sciences, Bengaluru(UASB), on aspects related to microbiology, and everything and then realised the necessity of focusing on one thing. So I quit my job, and while quitting the job, I told Giriyappa, my boss and head of the Engineering division, about my plans. He wasn't convinced and was under the impression that I would be joining elsewhere. These days, people quitting their jobs and venturing into doing something of their own is quite common, but not during 2011-12. However, I pleaded with him to help me out, if I come back to him after a year or so, in case things don't work as desired. This was a backup move in mind".
Manufacturing of micro-nutrients: Later, Sameer returned to Belagali and launched the project of manufacturing micro-nutrients. He bought coloured bags available at village weekly markets, pasted a small sticker on them and started giving them for trials and later selling them. He applied for a licence, got it and set up a laboratory in a space of 2,000 square feet. Initially, he had nothing to show nor any machinery to show, as everything was done manually.
Ultimately, quality matters: Also, Sameer was least interested in doing something for showoff, and both father and son had a firm belief that ultimately, quality matters, and they were prepared to go to any extent to ensure the same. They started with micronutrients mixture, followed by a wetting agent, and growth promoters. They also introduced a chelated micronutrient mixture and tried very innovative packing methods with the help of PVOH or Polyvinyl Alcohol, a water-soluble synthetic polymer. Arrowhead Company was manufacturing these self-dissolving pouches, which were used to dissolve when they came in contact with moisture. In fact, they made very innovative trials, packaging methods, and products as well.
Another 8,000 square feet unit: They met, consulted and had a series of meetings with several scientists before formulating all these products, and the laboratory was set. In 2014-15, they started the new 8,000 square feet unit and another bigger unit of 12,000 square feet in 2019. They started with micronutrient mixtures and then included Neem manures manufacturing and trading of water-soluble fertilisers later. Things went well as planned.
Bought a cattle-feed plant in 2021: They bought a cattle-feed plant in 2021-22 to diversify, for facing any numbers of problems when it came to the recovery of money. Sameer admits candidly, "In our business, the biggest hurdle is the recovery of money or rotation of the capital. In fact, credit is a real big headache. People are nice when we approach and sell our products. However, it is a real big challenge while trying to recover the money, as it takes a heavy toll on patience, pressure and efforts on our part, for having no proper eco-system".
Neem processing and kernels: Then, they started with Neem processing and Neem kernels, which have huge potential. These days, everybody uses Neem fruit as a pest repellent or a nitrification inhibitor and has a tremendous scope as a bio-pesticide. Most of the produce that is brought to the factory is either crushed or passed by an expeller, while the oil is extracted in the expeller, and the cake ends up as a fertiliser. But much more efficiency can be derived when the kernel is taken.
The picking system is very poor in the state: Sameer opines, "For instance, Tamil Nadu and parts of Andhra Pradesh have a very beautiful set system in comparison to Karnataka. In Karnataka, the fruit is really very good, but the picking system is very poor, as nobody takes proper care. Actually, the fruits need to be dried to prevent fungal infection, but there is a lack of awareness about this aspect. We sell the seeds to the factories or to the people of Tamil Nadu, as it will be very bright and sunny weather there at the onset of the rainy season here. They have huge open yards to dry the fruits for 3-4 days, and stack them; derive the kernel, while sometimes the kernels are sent to bigger solvent extraction units. They also make kernels and oil.
Capital-intensive business: Although they bought the cattle feed plant in 2021-22, much before they had commissioned the Neem kernel extraction unit in 2018-19. They still have the latter, but feel very difficult to manage when it starts to rain. They ran the cattle feed unit for about two years and found it to be very capital-intensive, with a narrow margin, and requiring at least two full-time partners to focus completely on the business. They managed to run the unit for about three years, but were faced with enough difficulties in recovering the dues. Luckily for them, a person approached and offered to manage the unit on rent and has been doing very well. Now, they are concentrating only on the fertiliser part.
Entrepreneurship entangled with multiple challenges and woes: No doubt, Sameer has managed successfully to sail through, thanks to apt and rich experience of his father, Shivayogi Byakod. However, the ground situation doesn't looks to be not all that rosy as entrepreneurship in the rural areas is entangled with multiple challenges and woes.
Villages welcome with illegal layouts: By and large, wherever you go across the country, most of the rural terrain is fast changing. Illegal residential layouts welcome you before reaching any village, most of the youth force has migrated to the nearby towns and far off cities in search of livelihood; homes for the senior citizens can now be found even in small villages. Young farmers in irrigation belts are finding it difficult to get brides; peasants in the rainfed regions are literally struggling to make a decent living. Now and then, we come across IT professionals shifting to organic farming; some of them also succeeding in their new ventures. Along with all such odds, instances like that of Sameer are a silver line of hope. May his tribe increase!
-Manohar Yadavatti
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