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Moong Over Microchips
Venkat Iyer was living a fast-paced life in the IT world in Mumbai when he decided to stop and take a long, hard look at where he was headed. Disheartened by his stressful existence in the city, he decided to give it all up and take up organic farming in a small village near Mumbai. But it wasn't easy. With no experience in agriculture, his journey was fraught with uncertainty. He soon went from negotiating tough clients, strict deadlines and traffic to looking forward to his first bumper crop of moong. As he battled erratic weather conditions and stubborn farm animals, he discovered a world with fresh air and organic food, one where he could lead a more wholesome existence. At times hilarious, and other times profound, this book follows his extraordinary story.
- GenresNonfictionIndiaBiography
256 pages, Hardcover
Published March 1, 2018
17 people are currently reading
319 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
March 28, 2018
There is romanticism in the concept. Many a city dweller thinks wistfully of a more tranquil and rustic life when the going gets tough, there are tight deadlines to meet and hours lost commuting to work in horrendous traffic. But it takes nerves of steel to make good on that dream, to start from scratch with little knowledge and only a steadfast desire to make a change and be the change. Mumbai-based Venkat Iyer chucked up a high paying corporate job (at IBM, no less) to become a farmer. Moong Over Microchips is a beautifully told account of his trials and tribulations over a span of 14 years in that role. Simply, honestly and sometimes humorously, he narrates his trysts with organic farming, trying to get into the swing and the rhythm of farming cycles - with moong and rice to begin with, rural economy, getting piped water, his encounter with a cobra and other co-inhabitants from the animal world, whose habitat he feels he's encroached upon, and so much else. In recounting his life as a farmer, VI covers so much ground with unique insights.
May 26, 2018
Loved the perspective, but wish the storytelling was better. Not really the fault of the author, however, because he isn't a full-time writer.
I liked his approach to the move, and how he laid out everything that it took, what he gave up and so on in exchange for this version of happiness.
I liked his approach to the move, and how he laid out everything that it took, what he gave up and so on in exchange for this version of happiness.
May 9, 2018
The subject of the book is very interesting - an urban bred techie who gives up his job and starts farming. The many details of his journey, including his dealings with people and the govt., the way he plans and executes things makes it engaging. There's something about the style of writing though, that was disappointing - I am not able to put a finger to it. However, I wouldn't let that take much away - after all, the man is not a professional writer but someone keen to share his journey.
January 31, 2024
Moong Over Moonchips - Venkat Iyer
Rating 4/5.
I have had a hectic January 2024, with work, work and lots of work. Apart from work, only thought used to come to my mind. How to run away from work. I could not read much (rather anything) for a good ten to fifteen days. All of a sudden I realized I had this book on the shelf which was all about an individual transitioning from an IT job to being a farmer.
No, I do not intend to do the same, but - it sounded worthy of a read. Though I was a little skeptical of the content, as is the case with other contemporary books, after the first few pages the book just felt like a breeze. It was the perfect breather I needed to tell myself to stop working and read instead.
Venkat mentions about him quitting his day job in an IT organization and buying land, growing, farming, cultivating and all the saga which took place. He then writes about his experiences on the farm, like everyday occurrences ranging from people, lack of labor, corruption, rainfall, water, encountering creatures, learning process of farming, taking care of the produce and not to mention family life.
The book does not let you down in terms of expectations, what you read in the title is what you get in the content. The writing is so so simple that the book can be completed in a day or two. Each chapter brings about a fresh perspective, fresh insight into the challenges of a daily village farming life.
I tremendously enjoyed reading the book, it not just gave me good break away from work, but also got to see the world from a non commercial, non materialistic hard working person's perspective.
Cheers,
Rating 4/5.
I have had a hectic January 2024, with work, work and lots of work. Apart from work, only thought used to come to my mind. How to run away from work. I could not read much (rather anything) for a good ten to fifteen days. All of a sudden I realized I had this book on the shelf which was all about an individual transitioning from an IT job to being a farmer.
No, I do not intend to do the same, but - it sounded worthy of a read. Though I was a little skeptical of the content, as is the case with other contemporary books, after the first few pages the book just felt like a breeze. It was the perfect breather I needed to tell myself to stop working and read instead.
Venkat mentions about him quitting his day job in an IT organization and buying land, growing, farming, cultivating and all the saga which took place. He then writes about his experiences on the farm, like everyday occurrences ranging from people, lack of labor, corruption, rainfall, water, encountering creatures, learning process of farming, taking care of the produce and not to mention family life.
The book does not let you down in terms of expectations, what you read in the title is what you get in the content. The writing is so so simple that the book can be completed in a day or two. Each chapter brings about a fresh perspective, fresh insight into the challenges of a daily village farming life.
I tremendously enjoyed reading the book, it not just gave me good break away from work, but also got to see the world from a non commercial, non materialistic hard working person's perspective.
Cheers,
December 8, 2022
Fun to read quickly
April 12, 2022
Honest candid and inspiring
August 5, 2018
The grass is always greener on the other side, only if you know how to grow it.!!!
Its no strange that almost every second person that you come across in the corporate have this deep sense of escaping the vicious rat race. The dreams of leaving the job, going to a village, owing a farm and becoming a part of the mother nature were no less. After reading this book i understood its a true fantasy, yes a fantasy because its seems romantic enough in the thought but actally isn't so.
We term it as a " retirement plan".But, hell no. After the book its ckear that its not a retirement plan, its a new career with its own challenges. The struggle with beaurocracy, the uncertinities of the weather, the change in lifestyle and moreover the ignorance about agriculture.
The book gave me a chance to live a life of my dreams and introspect if that is what i wanted. To question, "Have I been thinking this plan through, or just looking at the rosy picture my mind tricks me to see?"
Ah, the grass is always greener on the other side. But, only if you how to grow it.
Thank you sir for writing the book.
Its no strange that almost every second person that you come across in the corporate have this deep sense of escaping the vicious rat race. The dreams of leaving the job, going to a village, owing a farm and becoming a part of the mother nature were no less. After reading this book i understood its a true fantasy, yes a fantasy because its seems romantic enough in the thought but actally isn't so.
We term it as a " retirement plan".But, hell no. After the book its ckear that its not a retirement plan, its a new career with its own challenges. The struggle with beaurocracy, the uncertinities of the weather, the change in lifestyle and moreover the ignorance about agriculture.
The book gave me a chance to live a life of my dreams and introspect if that is what i wanted. To question, "Have I been thinking this plan through, or just looking at the rosy picture my mind tricks me to see?"
Ah, the grass is always greener on the other side. But, only if you how to grow it.
Thank you sir for writing the book.
October 1, 2020
The author has done an excellent job of penning down his experiences of moving from the city to farming in a village in Maharashtra. His struggles are very much real and could be an excellent source of second hand learning for someone who knows very little about farming. His anecdotes about life on a farm and in a small village are highly engrossing and enjoyable. I highly recommend this book.
June 10, 2018
My expectations were different from this book. Starts of well, later on gets into predictable.
January 17, 2022
This book is a must-read for those in India who are thinking of dropping out of the so-called rat race to a farmer.
Mumbai-based Venkat Iyer chucked up a high-paying corporate job (at IBM) to become a farmer, and his story is told with simplicity, honesty, and humor.
The narration trysts on organic farming, trying to get into the swing and the rhythm of farming cycles - with moong and rice, to begin with, rural economy, getting piped water, his encounter with a cobra and other co-inhabitants from the animal world, whose habitat he feels he's encroached upon, and so much else.
The book covers so much ground with unique insights and differences between India & Bharat with a detailed account of life, experiences, and struggles on the romanticism of doing organic agriculture among city dwellers.
Some of my favorite one-liners from the book were:-
1. ‘Nature will only provide for your needs, not for your greed. Farming is not a manufacturing business; it is a way of life.’
2. The modus operandi of the government officers was very simple. Target the most influential person in the village and offer him some sop or scheme. Once he was bought over, he could not object when they went about looting villagers who were either too scared to raise questions or just did not have the time or money to follow up on these matters.
3. Working on the farm is a full-time activity and the physical labor more than compensates for the lack of intellectual stimulation. It is only a question of time before you start enjoying the new lifestyle.
The perspective was refreshing and easy to read, though it would have been better if he had provided a little more information on the farming aspect as well.
Mumbai-based Venkat Iyer chucked up a high-paying corporate job (at IBM) to become a farmer, and his story is told with simplicity, honesty, and humor.
The narration trysts on organic farming, trying to get into the swing and the rhythm of farming cycles - with moong and rice, to begin with, rural economy, getting piped water, his encounter with a cobra and other co-inhabitants from the animal world, whose habitat he feels he's encroached upon, and so much else.
The book covers so much ground with unique insights and differences between India & Bharat with a detailed account of life, experiences, and struggles on the romanticism of doing organic agriculture among city dwellers.
Some of my favorite one-liners from the book were:-
1. ‘Nature will only provide for your needs, not for your greed. Farming is not a manufacturing business; it is a way of life.’
2. The modus operandi of the government officers was very simple. Target the most influential person in the village and offer him some sop or scheme. Once he was bought over, he could not object when they went about looting villagers who were either too scared to raise questions or just did not have the time or money to follow up on these matters.
3. Working on the farm is a full-time activity and the physical labor more than compensates for the lack of intellectual stimulation. It is only a question of time before you start enjoying the new lifestyle.
The perspective was refreshing and easy to read, though it would have been better if he had provided a little more information on the farming aspect as well.
June 28, 2020
Window to world of Indian farmer
I am so happy I picked up this book. This book is so many things, it's a story of struggles and the jubilations of farming life, it is also an informal yet absorbing guide for any urban novice to take up farming as way of life, it also includes some very interesting tales of the village and above all its it's an honest story of how an urban couple braved to leave the corporate rat race and the fast paced city and adopt a fulfilling life in the village among the farms.
This book is important because not many of us know about the trials and tribulations of Indian farmer (unfortunately not many books a
re written covering this aspect), in many ways this book helps the reader to recognize and appreciate the food produce we get and also gives dignity to the farming occupation.
Should inspire many to take up farming as way of life ( I wont ever call it career after reading this book).
I am so happy I picked up this book. This book is so many things, it's a story of struggles and the jubilations of farming life, it is also an informal yet absorbing guide for any urban novice to take up farming as way of life, it also includes some very interesting tales of the village and above all its it's an honest story of how an urban couple braved to leave the corporate rat race and the fast paced city and adopt a fulfilling life in the village among the farms.
This book is important because not many of us know about the trials and tribulations of Indian farmer (unfortunately not many books a
re written covering this aspect), in many ways this book helps the reader to recognize and appreciate the food produce we get and also gives dignity to the farming occupation.
Should inspire many to take up farming as way of life ( I wont ever call it career after reading this book).
February 16, 2022
An interesting account of a techie who goes back to farming. The problems of rural life like lack of good healthcare, entrenched corruption in Government field officials and superstitions are honestly depicted. However I did feel that the author never touched upon the undercurrent of caste issues in the village and the interesting aspects of local village level politics. Many educated people are taking up farming in their villages especially after the lockdowns in 2020 and they seem to be generating good returns. The educated and progressive farmer is the future of Indian agriculture. However the author’s reasons for going back to farming seem more philosophical like dislike for hankering after money and attraction of a slow village life. They seem like valid individual reasons, and at some point of time many of us citifolks find our imagination captured by the romanticism of it all. How true all this is, is a question of real experience.
September 18, 2025
What a beautiful book. The organization of the book was atypical, but proved helpful in understanding Iyer and his wife’s journey from living the city life to a sustainable, community centered life in the countryside. It dove into the frequent bureaucratic hurdles of India, the atypical choice of growing organic, and the importance of traditional knowledge that is being overwhelmingly lost across the world. I adored the way he spoke of community, how he pursued helping his neighbors and confronting the cheats, and overcame the same cheats to form a bond of solidarity. He chose empathy, kindness, and intelligence in all of his choices and was okay with admitting defeat and asking for assistance. The last chapter was my favorite; describing why the farm life was so meaningful to him and addressing the ideal modern way of life that feels so necessary to choose, but truly is not, nor is it the most fulfilling.
April 19, 2023
What is it like to give up the trappings of an urban life and a corporate career and move to a village to farm? Many millennials cite this as The Dream but few of us act on it. Venkat Iyer did and writes about his life as a newbie farmer with no agricultural exposure or background whatsoever.
The book is readable, relatable for those who've had to deal with the Indian bureaucracy, and refreshingly honest. At no point does Iyer romanticise the idea of farming. He is frank about the challenges of making a living off the land and establishing direct farmer-to-consumer connects. The book's most memorable line for me is one I've also heard from Shashi Kumar, the founder of Akshayakalpa, too: The land can provide enough for your needs but not for your greed.
I particularly enjoyed Iyer's description of village life and the colourful people he lives with. An excellent read.
The book is readable, relatable for those who've had to deal with the Indian bureaucracy, and refreshingly honest. At no point does Iyer romanticise the idea of farming. He is frank about the challenges of making a living off the land and establishing direct farmer-to-consumer connects. The book's most memorable line for me is one I've also heard from Shashi Kumar, the founder of Akshayakalpa, too: The land can provide enough for your needs but not for your greed.
I particularly enjoyed Iyer's description of village life and the colourful people he lives with. An excellent read.
July 16, 2023
This book really hit close to home as I come from a family owning farmland. I currently live in one of the largest metropolitan cities of my country and have no clue about farming and how much effort goes into producing the food I eat. Reading this book has made me rethink my approach to happiness and a "satisfactory" life. Venkat Iyer's drastic decision to move to a farm from Mumbai is truly intimidating to think about and his account of the experiences he had are fascinating to read. It addresses the emerging concern of the declining young farmer population, and how supply and demand problems are an everlasting problem in the organic farming industry. I find myself unable to look at the food I consume now the same way as before.
January 7, 2020
A Very excellent thought provoking book from Venkat Iyer. In this book he tells us about his journey of becoming a farmer after resigning from IBM at the age of 37. He gave up a six figure salary to live a contented, happy and productive life.
He has explained about all the problems he faced and how he learnt from them and stayed in the farm for 14+ years where many thought he would not survive fir even a year.
This change in life came about due to the stress and over indulgence in money whilst staying in cities.
The book is well written and encourages people to take up some vocation which would make them happy and contented rather than running behind money in the rat race.
He has explained about all the problems he faced and how he learnt from them and stayed in the farm for 14+ years where many thought he would not survive fir even a year.
This change in life came about due to the stress and over indulgence in money whilst staying in cities.
The book is well written and encourages people to take up some vocation which would make them happy and contented rather than running behind money in the rat race.
October 17, 2020
This was an effortless read. An admirable effort from someone who is not a professional writer. So, I will take that the storytelling was secondary here to the message. If you have a dream and are willing to pursue it, then you don't have to go looking for courage. It finds you.
The agrarian lifestyle isn't for everyone. But it isn't a pipedream either. And a simple search will show that many people have made that shift. The author makes no bones about the struggles against the system, which lends balance to his words. The continuing story doesn't promise utopia, and that in itself is honest.
The agrarian lifestyle isn't for everyone. But it isn't a pipedream either. And a simple search will show that many people have made that shift. The author makes no bones about the struggles against the system, which lends balance to his words. The continuing story doesn't promise utopia, and that in itself is honest.
August 4, 2019
Venkat's is a beautiful journey of exploration, realization, minimalism and finding deep meaning and true joy in life!
Through his experiments of starting and struggling to be a farmer from being a techie, learning along the way and using organic farming as a tool to conserve the soil and the produce grown, the read is exciting and valuable for the reader as well!
As Venkat shares some of his learnings of leading a life of a farmer and that of a minimalist, he also gives away some life lessons that every urban dweller needs to read and live upon!
Through his experiments of starting and struggling to be a farmer from being a techie, learning along the way and using organic farming as a tool to conserve the soil and the produce grown, the read is exciting and valuable for the reader as well!
As Venkat shares some of his learnings of leading a life of a farmer and that of a minimalist, he also gives away some life lessons that every urban dweller needs to read and live upon!
May 15, 2020
The book is an innocent tale of farming and of a simple idea originating from dissatisfaction with corporate culture and city life. I think that most of us don't have sophisticated plans for the future, but the overload of technology, money and resources makes it incredibly hard to make the leap. That leap for the author wasn't without hardships, but he stuck to a straightforward plan of moving out of the city and living off his own land. Each obstacle in his way was dealt with through unwavering focus and creativity. That is a great takeaway for me from this title, along with many more.
October 21, 2020
Too often, my mind wanders and I begin day dreaming about gardening, farming and living a contended rustic life somewhere in my native place. One such late night I bought this book on a whim. A lot of my extended family members are farmers, and both my parents grew up in farming households. so none of the information in this book came as a surprise to me. However, the book did help me internalise the hard realities of a farm life from a salaried professional’s point of view.
The editor/copy writer could have made the book much better. but still a story worth telling.
The editor/copy writer could have made the book much better. but still a story worth telling.
May 7, 2018
Moong Over Microchips is the enlightening true story of a techie/engineer going farming, learning to farm, learning to deal with Indian bureaucracy, sticking to his ideals (organic farming techniques), facing the daily challenges of the farm, supply-chain - all while thoroughly relishing the challenges and enjoying it. The author's opinions are very grounding and made me think deeper about the real needs we have.
The author's writing is concise and entertaining.
The author's writing is concise and entertaining.
June 2, 2019
Book is about the transition of a city dweller to being a villager wherein he shares the struggles and joys of being a villager and a farmer. Book is an easy read. It traverses across from daily life of a farmer to the important issues like loosing biodiversity, marketing challenges in agriculture, corruption in government.
Concerns raised about the change in villages to a more financially oriented lifestyle seems valid.
Concerns raised about the change in villages to a more financially oriented lifestyle seems valid.
October 26, 2019
Ex-IBM exec switches over to agrarian economy and re-discovers Gandhi's maxim for sustainable villages - barter economy with a focus on local produce.
Enjoyable. Left me wanting to know more about: the specific schemes for small farmers that don't percolate to the masses, the strains and pedigree of non-bio-engineered crops (grains/cereals/etc), and specifically more on the day-to-day economics and management for self-sustaining agriculture.
But overall quite enjoyable.
Enjoyable. Left me wanting to know more about: the specific schemes for small farmers that don't percolate to the masses, the strains and pedigree of non-bio-engineered crops (grains/cereals/etc), and specifically more on the day-to-day economics and management for self-sustaining agriculture.
But overall quite enjoyable.
September 30, 2021
Reality of a farmer life
Reality of village life explained well... For younger generation planning for forming please refer this book as reference book for planning long term forming. Nothing will come fast neither yield or Money by selling the yield ..what matters is peace..we get from mother nature...
Well explained about ground reality of difficulty in marketing the grown items.
Thank you Iyer sir for this wonderful book which has given me an vision to opt for farming
Reality of village life explained well... For younger generation planning for forming please refer this book as reference book for planning long term forming. Nothing will come fast neither yield or Money by selling the yield ..what matters is peace..we get from mother nature...
Well explained about ground reality of difficulty in marketing the grown items.
Thank you Iyer sir for this wonderful book which has given me an vision to opt for farming
October 29, 2022
As I read this straightforward book by Mr. Iyer, all the ideas in our "what's next" conversations came to life.How many of us have the courage to act as he has? City-led, fast-paced lifestyles may be killing us covertly, but how many of us do something this concrete? It was satisfying to read about their journey and the key takeaway being that true prosperity and happiness do not necessarily have the same connotations for all individuals.
September 3, 2023
A very insightful read. I think the author glossed over a few of the issues he faced which may turn out to be big issues for someone who is trying to follow in his footsteps, but nevertheless it's written in an engaging way otherwise. He ties to provide as much information as possible about the process while still narrating it as his story, chronologically.
The writing is simple, candid, and at times funny too.
The writing is simple, candid, and at times funny too.
July 18, 2025
It was a really informative book. I think at least half the world dreams of quitting their day job and doing something they love. Mr. Venkat did it and by sharing his experiences, he has portrayed the good, bad and ugly in the process. I loved that he covered his fails, the bureaucracy and the issues he faced as much as he has written about his successes. I would have liked the storytelling to be more linear but overall it was an eye opening book. Highly recommended
August 5, 2018
Very simple writing which conveys the message across very effectively. Liked the way Venkat has described some very basic things (which are very basic in urban life & a luxury in village, also things are very basic in villages are not so basic in cities). Thankful to Venkat for introducing me to Masanobu Fukuoka.
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January 29, 2022Many people living in metro cities, having jobs in the IT sector or elsewhere, find the work very stressful. They dream of having a farm, yet most of them fail to make their dream come true. The author shares his personal experience in buying a farm, dealing with corruption, choosing the right crops, and selling the produce to get a fair price. This ideal for those who like farming.
May 4, 2023
Must read page turner
I liked that it's not a book on practical considerations,written in a story book style.
You will learn more about farming in this one book than many others put together
An eye opener on what ails and works in a farming community
Also to all techies who believe they are more farmers than techies,must read
I liked that it's not a book on practical considerations,written in a story book style.
You will learn more about farming in this one book than many others put together
An eye opener on what ails and works in a farming community
Also to all techies who believe they are more farmers than techies,must read
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews