Growing up, G.S Viknesh would sleep in tandem with the rhythmic hum of cows in a barn and the earthy smell of hay.
The 25-year-old was introduced to the farm at the age of seven, when his father would teach him how to milk a cow. “He would playfully spray the milk into my mouth when he was milking the cows,” Viknesh said, smiling as he recalled his childhood.
“At first, I was scared of the cows because they were so much bigger, but I soon got used to them. After a while, I slept in the shed next to the cows almost every night.
“The shed is dusty and there are many mosquitoes – but those things never bothered me too much. Even today, when I know a cow is about to give birth, I make sure to stay in the shed every day to monitor it.”
Today, Viknesh fully manages Viknesh Dairy Farm, a dairy farm in Singapore situated on the outskirts of Lim Chu Kang. With around 60 cows, the farm primarily produces milk and curd for commercial purposes.
For the last three decades, the farm was run by his father Govindasamy Subramaniam, 74. However, due to the latter’s deteriorating health, Viknesh, who has two older sisters, knew that he couldn’t let the farm fade into obscurity.
Though serendipitous, the farm was actually named after Viknesh’s elder brother, who died before Viknesh was born.
“My family believes that I am the reincarnation of my late elder brother, Vikneshwaran. So my parents named me and also the farm as such,” he explained.
Viknesh Dairy Farm is the only cow farm in Singapore that caters to religious events. During Pongal (Hindu harvest festival) every year, for instance, cows from the farm are brought to Little India for public viewing.
Work at the farm is gruelling and long, and the rewards are far from immediate, said Viknesh. He also faces the realities of farming in an urban landscape – rising costs, dwindling land space and an industry that is increasingly viewed as old-fashioned.
“It is not easy. We have to make sure the cattle stay healthy and we adhere to all the government guidelines,” said Viknesh.
In school, as his friends talked about careers in tech, finance, engineering and of opportunities that seemed more glamorous than life on a farm, Viknesh’s passion for rural life never waned.
“It’s the bond I developed over the years with my family and the business,” the former ACS (Barker) student said. “Very quickly, it became who I was.”
Viknesh became heavily involved in the farm operations soon after his O’ Levels, when he was 16 – due to his father’s health. After completing his diploma in electrical engineering at Ngee Ann Polytechnic, he went into the family business full-time.
“Most of my friends are pursuing their degrees in universities, but for me the dairy farm means everything,” he said.
“While they go clubbing or on holidays, I handle the operations of the farm and take care of the cattle. I do not see this as a sacrifice.
“Some of my friends tease me about spending so much of my time with the cows, but they don’t understand the love I have for the animals.”
His favourite animal is a bull named Murugan.
“I used to spend a lot of time with him when I was young; I would pull its tail, tickle his body and even play catch with him,” Viknesh said.
Plans are afoot for the farm to be relocated soon, and Viknesh has plans to open the premises for guided tours.
“I want to upgrade the farm to attract more people, especially school students and tourists,” he said.
“I hope more people can learn about farm life and what we do around here.”
