"What if the key to saving lives was hidden in the soil beneath our feet?When a close friend and his wife were diagnosed with cancer, Vivek Nirmal began a personal quest to understand rising health issues — and found himself deep in India’s farmlands. There, he uncovered a hard truth: soil degradation, unsustainable farming, and a broken supply chain were harming not just farmers, but also the food we eat.This moment sparked the birth of Kisan Konnect - an app that connects farmers directly to consumers, delivering fresher, safer produce while empowering those who grow it. In this talk, Vivek shares how regenerative agriculture and rural infrastructure are helping heal people restore the earth, and secure farmers’ future.If you have ever wondered what it takes to fix what’s broken in agriculture, this talk will change the way you look at your plate, and your purpose." For over 25 years, Vivek Nirmal has dedicated his life to one mission: rebuilding India’s agricultural future by restoring soil health, empowering farmers, and delivering safer, more nutritious food to millions of consumers. Born and raised in Srirampur, near Shirdi, Vivek grew up in a farming family, where he witnessed both the potential and the vulnerability of India’s smallholder farmers. Vivek sheds light on the critical ‘soil crisis’ impacting farmers and the health of our food systems. He discusses the alarming effects of soil obesity caused by the overuse of chemical fertilizers, resulting in degraded land, reduced nutritional value, and a growing health crisis. Vivek introduces the transformative potential of regenerative agriculture, showcasing local success stories and how KisanKonnect empowers over 6,000 farmers through sustainable practices. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx