Siva Sankaran Kumaravel
Nagapattinam
Summary
Indoor farming technician specializing in hydroponics and multi-crop production. Proficient in analyzing crop and environmental data to enhance growth and operational efficiency. Demonstrated ability in team coordination, staff training, and daily operational support. Experienced with diverse crops including lettuce, strawberries, and microgreens in vertical farming and greenhouse environments.
Overview
3
3
years of professional experience
Work History
Agricultural Engineer
Smart Leaves Agricultural LLC
Dubai
10.2024 - 10.2025
- Managed full crop cycles for multiple specialty crops, including leafy greens, strawberries, baby carrots, red radish, microgreens, herbs, and edible flowers, in indoor vertical and greenhouse environments.
- Performed propagation activities such as seeding, substrate preparation, transplanting, and maintaining germination conditions tailored to each crop type.
- Operated and maintained indoor vertical farming systems, including multi-tier hydroponic and NFT racks, LED lighting arrays, automated irrigation lines, CO₂ injection systems, and climate-control equipment, to ensure optimal conditions for year-round production.
- Conducted soil analysis to determine nutrient levels and improve crop yield strategies.
- Conducted daily crop scouting to identify early signs of pests, diseases, nutrient deficiencies, or physiological disorders, applying integrated pest management (IPM) strategies, including biological controls, sanitation protocols, and cultural practices.
- Ensured strict adherence to food safety, HACCP, and biosecurity standards by sanitizing equipment, managing cleanroom procedures, and enforcing contamination prevention protocols across all production areas.
- Collected and recorded production data—including growth rate metrics, yield tracking, nutrient consumption, and environmental trends—to support forecasting, quality control, and process optimization.
- Assisted in developing and implementing standard operating procedures (SOPs) to improve workflow efficiency, reduce waste, and enhance consistency in crop quality.
- Trained new team members on crop-handling techniques, safety protocols, equipment usage, and data-logging systems to maintain high operational standards across shifts.
Agricultural Engineer
Smart grow farms LLC
Dubai
08.2022 - 08.2024
- Managed day-to-day cultivation activities of the leafy greens (lettuce, kale, rocket leaves), including seeding, transplanting seedlings to various stages, and harvesting in the hydroponic NFT system.
- Monitored and adjusted environmental parameters (temperature, humidity, CO₂, lighting schedules, and nutrient levels) to support optimal growth for leafy greens.
- Operated irrigation and fertigation systems, preparing nutrient solutions appropriate for hydroponics, depending on crop needs.
- Conducted daily crop scouting to identify early signs of pests, diseases, nutrient imbalances, and physiological disorders in leafy greens.
- Utilized IPM practices, including biological controls, cultural strategies, and monitoring traps, to maintain low pest pressure.
- Conducted R&D trials for strawberries using a hydroponic NFT system, and for baby carrots using substrate-based cultivation methods.
- Executed the harvesting, washing, grading, and packing of leafy greens while meeting food safety, quality control, and shelf life standards in the UAE.
- Maintained strict sanitation and biosecurity procedures to protect crops from contamination.
- Worked closely with the team to troubleshoot hydroponic NFT system issues, and contributed to the development and implementation of a new indoor farm project in Dubai.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Agriculture
Dhanalakshmi Srinivasan Agriculture College
Perambalur, TN10-2021
Skills
- Hydroponic systems operation
- Climate control management
- LED lighting optimization
- Nutrient solution preparation
- Integrated pest management
- Post-harvest handling
- Data recording and analysis
- Workflow coordination
- Inventory management
- Team communication
- Staff training and onboarding
- System troubleshooting
- Continuous improvement strategies
- Crop trials and experimental setups
- R&D data analysis
Languages
English
Proficient (C2)
C2
Tamil
Native
Native
Hindi
Upper Intermediate (B2)
B2
Timeline
Agricultural Engineer
Smart Leaves Agricultural LLC
10.2024 - 10.2025
Agricultural Engineer
Smart grow farms LLC
08.2022 - 08.2024
Bachelor of Science - Agriculture
Dhanalakshmi Srinivasan Agriculture College