"He Did It With One Finger"... Paralyzed Young Man Builds Smart Farm Through Self-Study

Self-taught in Physics and Computer Science from Childhood
Developed Farm Control System with Mother's Support

A Chinese man who is completely paralyzed has inspired many by founding a startup that automates farm management.

On December 29 (local time), the Hong Kong South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported on the entrepreneurial journey of Risha, a 36-year-old man from Chongqing in southwestern China. Risha was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy around the age of five. Muscular dystrophy is a disease in which the muscles gradually weaken. Because of this, Risha had to leave school in the fifth grade of elementary school.

Afterward, Risha taught himself physics and computer science, and at the age of 25, he learned programming through online forums. Risha told the media, "My first encounter with computers was thanks to a textbook my younger sister brought home," recalling, "I became interested in every concept in that book. At the start of each semester, I eagerly waited to see what new computer book my sister would bring home."

Risha, who invented a smart farm control system despite her paralyzed body, and her mother Udimay. Photo by SCMP Capture

Risha's condition continued to worsen. At first, he lost the ability to walk, and later, he reached the point where he could not even turn his body by himself. Eating and breathing became difficult, and he was left only able to move one finger and one toe.

In early 2021, Risha came across information about a farming method called "soilless cultivation." He then came up with the idea of combining the Internet of Things with modern agriculture. Relying on a ventilator and using only one finger and one toe to operate a keyboard, Risha invented a smart system that controls the entire farm. Meanwhile, his mother, Udimay, took on the manual development work. At first, Udimay did not even know what an electronic circuit was, but as she helped her son, she gradually became a skilled technician.

Risha's farm is operating smoothly and is reportedly generating stable profits. Risha plans to diversify the farm's products by growing new crops such as cherry tomatoes. Chinese internet users who heard his story responded with comments such as, "It's a miracle," and "This was only possible thanks to his mother's devotion."