N. Sivakumar is an adventurist linking all gamers like Agriculture, Horticulture, Poultry, Aquaculture & forestry towards the Agriculture Value Chain Concept to achieve Sustainable livelihood. He works in covering employment economics and the environment which has a large canvas. He has worked in Engineering, Agriculture research, Social, financial and Government sectors.
Sivakumar is a highly qualified and passionate professional with more than 3 decades of work experience. He started his career with M.S Swaminathan Research Foundation and moved forward as a Consultant in Nature Resource Management working in various Projects including Tamil Nadu Government World Bank Project. He also handled development projects funded by international institutions such as Water.org USA, Voxtra Oslo & FMO Netherlands. These projects promoted sustainable livelihood hubs among the rural communities in Tamil Nadu & Madhya Pradesh.
His current organization deals with a combination of horticulture, animal husbandry, aquaculture, arboriculture, and agriculture to maximize the productivity of the land. They integrate agriculture technologies with the spinoff of micro-enterprises affordable and sustainable to marginal farming communities with the sole aim of maximizing their return from their small land holdings.
Siva is known for his innovative approach to problem solving along with great team handling skills going that ‘extra mile’ to connect with people across all levels.
Linkedin: natarajan sivakumar | LinkedIn
Q. How has been your journey from IIFM so far?
A. A smooth sea will never make a good sailor so let us say that is the best summary of my journey so far.
Q. What were some of the key milestones/learning in this journey that you would like to share with us?
A. Smallest details are more important so always make a note.
I have learned immensely in the fields of Financial, Social, and Economics over the last 3 decades.
Q. What is the most satisfying part of your career?
A. Social engineering is the most satisfying part of my career.
Q. Has your learning at IIFM helped in shaping how you approach your professional roles?
A. IIFM shaped me to gain the courage and confidence to face all disciplines in life which has helped me in navigating my life and career.
Q. What would be your advice to freshers and IIFM graduates who are looking to choose similar sectors/roles.
A. Take the world as it is with an open mind & heart.
Always look for clarity of role & responsibility for getting the best result and keep learning.
Q. How did you decide to go for higher studies post IIFM?
A. I went for a diploma in microfinance at the Indian Institute of Banking & Finance for a broader spectrum of learning niches.
Q. What are your favorite memories during your IIFM days?
A. IIFM gave many pleasant memories but to list a few:
- Bahadur’s Chai in the morning
- Climbing on the wall ledges in the lonely hostel blocks
- The feeling of being on the top of the world by climbing on the rooftop of the canteen and the water tank.
Q. In hindsight, what was the biggest contribution or take away from IIFM that you think played a critical role in shaping you as an individual or professional?
A. The guidance of our course teachers comes on top of everything else.
Q. The best buddies / seniors /faculty at IIFM?
A. My best buddies were Dr.Ravichandran, Mr.Vineet Mehta & Mr.Sanjay Shukla.
Q. As an alumni, what’s your advice to freshers or those who are joining IIFM to get best out of the 2 years there?
A. Learn the nuances well and paint the world green.
Q. What is your typical day at work?
A. I follow a regular routine which is like:
My day starts with exercise which is from 5 to 6:00 am.
I work on the plan of action for the day from 6:30 to 8:30 am.
And the action-packed day goes from 9:30 to 5:30 pm.
I use an hour from 6 to 7:00 pm for playing games and catching up with colleagues.
And then an hour from 7:30 to 8:30 pm for revamping days action and work done.
I handle all my messages, mails and missed phone calls from 8:30 to 9:30pm.
Q. And how about weekends, hobbies, family and anything else you want to add?
A. Weekends are for partying and listening to music!
Hobbies -playing football and rearing reptiles and birds.
I also attend family functions and spend quality time with my children & family members.
Q. Favorite Books, movies, authors?
A. I read all kinds of journal books, thrillers, and fiction. In movies, it is mostly romance genre.
Q. IIFM is driven by alumni’s passion and commitment towards its goal. How would you like to contribute to IIFM or IIFM alumni, students? Your engagement with IIFM Placement or OT/SI?
A. My contribution to IIFM as Alumni will be towards OT (now called SI & Project Work) in near future.
Q. What do you think is different at IIFM now vs when you studied there?
A. A collection of many new buildings and full-fledged infrastructure facilities.
Q. Any suggestions on who you want to get profiled/interviewed here?