As a farmer, Bharatbhai always had a soft spot for small-scale farmers who struggled due to a lack of high-technology equipment. When he observed that the manual method of seed plantation and weeding resulted in the irregular placement of seeds, efficient spacing, and fatigue for the area sown, he decided to make a seed sowing and weeding machine to reduce the drudgery involved. He made a manual cycle sowing and weeding machine which helps overcome the downsides of manual seeding. He sold more than 6000 units of this manual machine. Then after getting feedback from local farmers who used his product, he decided to attach a battery and solar panel to make the machine auto-operated and an easy-to-use eco-friendly device. In one charging, the machines can work on 2 acres. The labor cost would be Rs 5000; even if a tractor were used, the price would be around 1200. In the battery unit, it takes 2 unit expenses (“Rs 16) with one labor (cost Rs 500). The machine size is small and portable. It is very effective in intercrop farming. He sold a total of 6 battery-operated seed drills and a weeder. All products were made while researching, and he has not started mass production. The hand-operated weeder is sold at Rs 1100, the hand-operated seed driller costs Rs 3000, and the battery-operated seeder/weeder/trolly’s selling price is Rs 38,000. His company also collaborates with Universities and students to make a working model of a prototype. Bharatbhai’s innovative drill and weeder are self-selling; hence, several units of this device have already been sold. Also, the innovator has one community fabrication lab supported by NIFIndia.org. He also displayed his innovation at IIC’s People’s Innovation Festival in Delhi. He has also received the Life Time Achievement Award from Pratibha Patil and Pranab Mukherjee
