The idea was simple. Micro Finance met the financial needs of enterprises for which the market existed. MVIF met the need of the enterprise for which the market did not yet exist. SIDBI set up such a fund at NIF in 2003 October. After repayment by NIF of the entire balance of MVIF, the same has been re-established at GIAN. GIAN model was scaled up in the form of NIF in 2000, and we hope that MVIF will be an Indian contribution to the global repertoire of novel poverty alleviation approaches. It is strange that despite all kinds of innovation indices having been developed, the WIPO/World Bank and other international development institutions have not yet recognized that without risk capital, grassroots innovations cannot be scaled up.

Gujarat Grassroots Innovation Augmentation Network (GIAN) and Small Industries Development Bank (SIDBI) Came together for project “Gramin Navonmesh Protsahan” under Micro Venture Innovation Fund (MVIF) in the first phase at GIAN. The project aimed to strengthen the innovation ecosystem and support innovations from and for grassroots across the country. Selected projects got support for investment funds for stimulating commercialization. The support was provided in the form of a soft loan with a 5% interest rate.      

Who can apply for MVIF?Innovation-based enterprises, Projects from ITI/Polytechnic/Diploma students, Women entrepreneurs, Social enterprises, Individuals can apply for the funds. Selection criteria are Novelty, innovation readiness to market, innovative technologies, social impact, affordability, inclusivity and gender sensitivity, innovations for niche markets, potential direct/indirect beneficiaries, etc. With the financial marketing support, purpose projects get Monitoring support too. The expert screening committee was established for the selection of the projects. The provided Maximum up to Rs. 2 Lac, and in few deserving cases, it extended up to Rs. 5 Lac to only projects approved by our experts and screening committee. The amount must be returned with a 5% rate of interest within two years. 

Recent socio-economic stress caused by the Covid19 Pandemic has necessitated the re-strategisation of the partnership to finance innovation-based enterprises. Key modifications done were as follows. Existing innovations in different parts of the country needing investment funds to stimulate commercialization are prioritized. There was an urgent need to generate jobs and expand the the market of affordable solutions for farming and non-farm communities. Many highly skilled migrants have gone back to rural areas, some will come back, but many might stay back. GIAN explored the possibility of inducing some of them to set up enterprises with lower innovation thresholds or new business models or based on third-party innovations. Social innovations considered particularly by women, youth, and others filling an important gap and thus meeting unmet social needs. Focus is made on innovative ideas from various sectors all over the country. Online/offline workshops with the new framework mobilize new ideas and create new entrepreneurial networks to sustain the spirit of emerging entrepreneurs in this difficult economic situation. 

Scouting Ideas/Concepts/Products/Practices

For scouting of innovations and getting online applications 2-way approach was made. 1. A google form is created for the MVIF application, and 2nd is Fieldwork was also done before lock-down. Link of application form http://bit.ly/applyforMVIF, or direct submission on email mvif@gian.org or WhatsApp +91-6353549783 or send by post on Bungalow No: 1, Satellite Complex, Nr. Satellite Tower, Mansi Cross Road, Satellite, Ahmedabad 380015 Gujarat, India. Telephone No:91-79-26769686 www.gian.org.

All ITIs and Polytechnic college students were contacted through mails, and we have got a submission of 1200 plus in the GianNidhi portal. 2 Internship programs were done for scouting of the innovations where 40 students have participated from all over India for scouting of innovations specifically from UP, Bihar, Odisha, Maharashtra, Chattisgarh, Jharkhand. Students have scouted online plus offline 950 plus innovations. GIAN team has also scouted 350 innovations.

Conducted seminars, conducted idea competitions with the help of faculty members, explained to them about MVIF project, explained objectives of Scouting of innovations, conducting idea competitions at ITI and polytechnics, Collecting abstracts from Polytechnic institutes. Scouting Innovators – Farmers, students, school children, dropout students, roadside vendors, bus stops, etc.

Eligibility of Innovations

Scouted innovations were prioritized  by the team at GIAN at given and decided different criteria mentioned below:

1. Innovation must be from grassroots or for grassroots 
2. It must be solving some unaddressed problem of the society 
3. The innovation should already be tested and demonstrated
4. The innovative should already be in the market and having potential demand in the market. 
5. Innovators should have plans for the sustainability of the enterprise 
6. Novelty, innovation readiness to market, innovative technologies, social impact, affordability, inclusivity and gender sensitivity, innovations for niche markets, potential direct/indirect beneficiaries, etc.

Project Review Committee meetings for selection of Innovation

All screened innovations team at GIAN used to contact the innovator and get the details according to pre-decided and finalized form. The format of getting details and documenting it is as per the below-given format:

Prior Informed Consent Form

Reg. No: GIAN-SIDBI/2020-21/

GIAN and SIDBI are working together to scout and support innovations/innovation-based enterprises across pan India under the “Gramin Navonmesh Protsahan” project. In this project, innovations are selected based on their Novelty, technical and economic feasibility, social impact, affected direct and indirect beneficiaries, etc. The selected projects will get mentoring and financial assistance. The financial assistance will be given in the form of a soft loan. The innovator has to return the sanctioned amount with 5% interest so that other innovators may benefit from this.

If you want to apply your project for screening, please fill in the information in this form and send the form to the organization’s address.

Detail of innovator

1. Name of innovator:
2. Name ofco-innovator:   
3. Address: 

Pincode:

1. Mobile No:
2. Email:  

Details of innovation

1. Name of innovation / product:  
2. Is your company/firm/unit is registered? Yes/No  
3. If yes, then please give the information askedbelow.
   1. Type of Registration (Private Limited/LLP/Proprietary Firm/MSME Unit/ Others): –
   2. Registration Date: –
   3. Registration number: –
   4. Registered Office Address: –

1. Can GIAN share the details with those who are interested in your innovation/idea?

       Yes/No

• Can GIAN display/publish information about your innovation/idea on its website/ magazine/poster/other publication media? Yes/No

• To what extent can we share the information given by you? Full/Partial 

Information/Terms/Conditions for receive financial support

These rules have been decided to ensure that the project progresses in a planned manner, and more innovators may benefit from it.

Please note that,

• The decision to continue/stop any project will be decided based on fulfillment of the project’s objectives, achievement of goals, results, progress, etc., and will remain entirely by theinstitution.
• Relaxation may be given in some rules to the innovator if any unexpected problem/difficulty arises.

□I/We have read the prior informed consent form carefully, and I/we assure GIAN that this information given by me/us is completely correct. We have agreed to the written information and rules in this form and will follow the instructions of the institute and this project.

Name of innovator:                                                                                                       Signature:                                                                              Date:

Name of co-innovator:                                                                                               Signature:                                                                                Date:

All selected innovators have to fill up the form and send it back the signed copy. After receiving signed copy of this form, identity proof and bank details disbursement of the funds done in two instalments. 

Innovations Approved under the Gramin Navonmesh Protsahan programme, in collaboration with SIDBI

List of innovators who shortlisted but did not get approval in PRC

Innovations supported so far:

Smart Walking Stick

Name of Innovator: Akash Singh 

Phone Number: 9457138214

Address: S/O Dharmender Singh, Near Power House, Mohalla Baniisrail, Gautam Buddha Nagar, Uttar Pradesh pin-203135

Email Id: akashsingh7842@gmail.com

Video Link: https://youtu.be/IZy65AKRThQ

Innovator Details: 

In school, Akash was an average student, a bit averse to studies. However, class IX proved to be a turning point, when a science project he created was selected for a school science exhibition conducted by the Central Board of Secondary Education, the national level board of education in India for public and private schools, controlled and managed by Union Government of India. The selection ushered in several accolades, further stimulating his interest in science and prompting him to experiment and even hold science festivals in his village to showcase his innovations. 

He went on to study Civil Engineering in a prestigious government polytechnic education society, Manesar, Gurgaon, while also getting actively involved in the Electrical and Mechanical Departments. Post-college, he set up his venture by the name of Energine Innovations. Apart from manufacturing a self-irrigation sprinkler and a self-power generating walking stick, the company also creates sculptures and idols from waste material. Over the years, the company has witnessed its share of ups and downs but always evolved and told an inspiring tale. Committed to social welfare, Akash also came up with the idea to upskill prisoners to create handicrafts, helping them course correct and make a decent living. Not surprisingly, his idea met with resistance; however, he persisted and today he is helping the prisoners work for a better tomorrow.

Innovation Details: 

“My septuagenarian grandfather always carries a walking stick with him for his morning walks. The stick did give him the support he needed; however, it also tired him out as it was heavy to lift. That’s when I thought of a walking stick that would enable easier mobility and be lightweight at the same time,” he says.

Akash had watched his grandfather use a walking stick, which while giving him the support to walk also inadvertently, tired him out. This prompted him to develop his innovative walking stick equipped with a wheel fitted with a power-braking system.  The device has an internal power generating mechanism, which can also be used as a mobile charger. Besides, it also has an alarm, torch and compass.  It took Akash almost a year to formalize the concept and develop a working model. He had to spend an equal measure of time to develop its mechanical and electrical aspects, and then another four months to turn his idea into reality. The wheel makes the stick light to use, and is useful not only to the elderly but also people with physical disabilities. The alarm can be set off as an alert during an emergency.   

“The entire cost of assembling the apparatus works out to ₹1500. So, the stick is high on functionality and also easy on the pocket.” – Akash

Adding feathers in his cap, Akash has won praise from the PMO, and received an award from the Chief Minister of Haryana, and appreciation from the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change. He has also been selected for the first global edition of Ashoka Young Changemaker from India and currently Incubated in Atal incubation Center BIMTECH.

He is deeply committed to social and environmental welfare. Amongst his several plans for the future, he wishes to upskill women inmates in prison, offering them a means to take up meaningful employment. Also, he aims to adopt more than 500 temples and lakes to make them more environment-friendly, thereby reducing their carbon imprints.

 According to Akash, “Age is just a number, be passionate and keep following your dreams.” Further, “Challenges are inevitable. At some point of time every individual face challenge in accomplishing their goals. I faced some too. My parents have been supportive.”

Sunbird straw: Drinking straws from coconut leaves

Name of Innovator: Prof. Saji Varghese

Phone Number: 8970830279 

Address: Bengaluru

Email Id: saji.varghese@christuniversity.in

Video Link: https://youtu.be/y1gpRbrSncQ 

Innovator Details: 

Saji Varghese, 51, is an Associate Professor at the Department of English, Christ University, Bengaluru. Observing several dry coconut leaves lying around in the campus, he came up with the idea to use them to make eco-friendly straws for use in beverages.   

“Each year a coconut tree naturally loses upto six of its leaves. From the study results I carried on the same subject, I found that these leaves are simply burnt in rural areas as a means of disposal. That’s when I decided to create an eco-friendly product out of the leaves” Saji explains.

Innovation Details: 

Dr. Saji’s innovation was motivated by the need to conserve the environment. A report published by India Today (2018) cited that India creates 25,000 tons of plastic waste every year of which only 9 percent is recycled. Committed to the cause of the environment, Saji works towards findings sustainable alternatives to plastics and other harmful environmental products.

Plastic straws are a classic example of single use plastics. Majority of these straws are made from Polypropylene, a material which is recycled. As a result, straws always end up in a landfill or water bodies damaging marine wildlife.

Dr. Saji Varghese explains that the straws are made in a 100 percent chemical-free process. A simple cleaning and steaming process brings out the natural healthy wax of the leaf onto the surface making it antifungal and hydrophobic and so ideal for use as a straw. The straw has a shelf life of nine months and stays steady in beverages for more than six hours. Moreover, over two hundred multi-layered straws can be made out of a single frond of coconut implying that there can be no shortage of the raw material in the face of any rise of demand for these first of its kind fully customizable straws, available in the range of 3mm to13mm diameter for varied user demands.

Dr. Saji Varghese’s invention will greatly contribute to the cause of the environment as it will reduce burning of leaves and eliminate the use of single use plastic straws. Besides, it will also help provide huge income-generating opportunities to women in rural areas of India and other coconut growing countries. 

His invention gives a fillip to environmental sustainability and contributes substantially to the goals of Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan. Behind the invention of the ecological straws lies the heart of a man who deeply loves his country and is committed to saving the planet. Professor Varghese presented the project to the authorities of the Christ University and received funding support to develop the technology to mass-produce the straws. His company Blessing Palms Pvt Ltd, a start-up incubated at Christ University, has developed five machines in-house,  patented. 

His coconut straws have received several accolades including the Shrestha Udyami Guru Puraskar 2020 from the Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDII) and the First Position at Start-Up Launchpad by the ASSOCHAM, New Delhi.

The straw was shortlisted for the Climate Launchpad Award in the Netherlands and won Best Innovation for Social Impact award against 45 competing countries. The accolade gained the company international recognition and today it receives orders from countries such as Malaysia, the USA, UK, Germany, Australia, and the Philippines.

Status of innovation: Saji has developed unique coconut leaf straws priced at Rs 3 to 10/straw in just two years. He claims to have received orders for more than 20 million straws from over 10 countries since he introduced the market.

Saji aims to set up production centers in the villages of coastal India, installing machinery and employing women from the communities to collect the fallen dry fronds from the coconut trees to produce the straws. He has already set-up the first three centers in Madurai, Tuticorin and Kasaragod. 

Groundnut Digger/Turmeric Digger/Garlic Digger

Name of Innovator: Mr. Sanjaybhai Tilwa

Phone Number: 9879011208

Address: Akshar Agro Engineering, Survey No. 257, Jain Steel Road, Nr. Rangani Engineers, Shapar (Veraval), Dist. Rajkot, Gujarat

Email Id: info@aksharagro.in

Video Link: https://youtu.be/nTH6x65Dq7k

IPR Status:Patent filed status: 528/MUM/2013 

Innovator Details: 

Sanjay Tilwa (31), a farmer and a manufacturer of agriculture implements, has developed a groundnut digger to dig out, uproot and clean ground nuts. His father is a retired school teacher and mother a housewife. Other members in his family include his wife, son, brother and sister. Talking about his childhood, Sanjay recalls that he did not do well in studies primarily due to lack of proper guidance. He later went to Junagadh where he completed his B. Com, taking on occasional jobs to cover his expenses. In 2003, after his graduation, he returned to his village and engaged himself in farming. However, his dream was to deal in agricultural machinery. Later, with financial support from a relative, he set up his firm, Akshar Agro Engineering, in Rajkot.Innovation details: Sanjay has five acres of cultivable land where he primarily grows groundnut. Working in the field, he realized how difficult and time-consuming it was to dig up the groundnuts. He discussed the issue with other farmers who also said that they had to incur losses due to the high cost and limited availability of labor to dig out the groundnuts. 

It was sometime in the year 2007 that Sanjay decided to come up with a solution. Initially, he developed a hand-operated plough; however, its efficiency was low and the device itself was labor-intensive. He then developed a tractor-operated plough; however, this too had its limitation in that the groundnut pods either got broken or left in the ground. Working persistently, he finally developed a prototype in 2009, which he modified to add two wheels under the conveyor for vibration. Finally, the machine was able to do what it was designed to. Sanjay recalls that the entire period of experimentation was a trying one and that he had to swim against the tide to culminate his journey constantly successfully. He also acknowledges the support of his elder brother and one of his friends in motivating him towards a successful solution.

Sanjay’s innovation is a tractor-mounted, PTO-powered machine with a telescopic propeller shaft, suitable for 35 H.P. and above tractors. It can dig out and uproot groundnuts from the soil. The harvesting blade (V shaped) of the machine is used to uproot the groundnuts. The blade is hardened by treating oil at a very high temperature to make it suitable for work in different kinds of soil. It has an adjustable width and with variable penetration angle. Once uprooted, the conveyer belt conveys the groundnuts from the ground level to a higher level. During the process, the belt keeps vibrating, as a result, the pods get cleaned of the attached soil. The collection box then opens to form the bed for groundnuts to dry. As the machine is heavy, wheels are provided at the rear to reduce the load on the tractor.

Though the machine’s productivity depends on the type of soil, on an average, it can harvest about 3 to 4 Veega (0.4 Acre) per hour. Compared to other alternatives, this machine not only mechanizes the digging but also undertakes cleaning and drying. Other alternatives commonly used are single offset beam digger and manual labor. In the latter case, three to five persons are required to pull out the plants, which have already been dug, and then clean the groundnuts, that is, remove soil from the plants. With the single offset digger, digging is done mechanically and subsequently, the pods are collected manually. This machine saves considerable labor, operating time and cost of operation compared to conventional methods.

Moreover, this machine can be used in different kinds of soil. The testing of the device was done at CAET, Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagadh and the results were found to be appreciable. The price of the machine is Rs. 95,000 – (Ex-factory India packaging). The price does not include transportation cost, taxes etc. 

NIF felicitated the innovator with a National award in the Seventh Biennial Award Function of National Innovation Foundation. In 2019, Sanjay received marketing support from GIAN and SIDBI under MVIF (Micro Venture Innovation Fund). 

 Technical Specifications

• Fuel Consumption – 1 lit/h 

• Prime mover – 35 HP PTO Tractor

• Weight of Device – 374 kg 

• Digging Efficiency – 98% 

• Effective Width of cutting – 1250 mm

 • Effective Depth of cutting – 100 – 120 mm 

Status of Innovation: Mr. Sanjay Tilwa has managed to sell a few units of his groundnut digger. The product has received appreciation from both experts and farmers, pointing to a good potential in the market. While working on the ground digger, Sanjay realized that he would diversify as this machine had a season-based demand. Accordingly, he developed another innovative tool – the reversible ploughs, which are also attached to the tractor. There are different variations of the plough, including manual, machine, hydraulic operated and a few more. He began selling these a few months back and has managed decent sales. Presently, Sanjay is actively engaged in fabricating and improving the digging machine, which he plans to make suitable for multiple crops.

Folded Ladder  

Name of Innovator: Mr. Mohd Rafiq Ahanger

Address:AdlashMagam, Srigufwara, Anantnag, J&K – 192401

Email Id:gian@gian.org

Video: https://youtu.be/Es-qc9zUcg0

Innovator Details: 

Mohd Rafiq Ahanger, 42 years old, is a blacksmith involved in fabrication work since the last 25 years. His claim to fame is developing a multipurpose tool, which can be used as an axe, hammer, chisel, blade, screwdriver driver for domestic or other carpentry tasks.

Born in the family of blacksmiths, Rafiq did not have an easy childhood due to financial problems. It was tough for his father to raise eight children – two sons and six daughters. He recalls that though they come from a lower income background, he was cushioned from the shocks of poverty by his supportive parents, who went the extra mile to provide for their children. Since childhood, he had access to blacksmith tools, iron and steel, which he loved to play around with. He would use them to repair old gadgets, and make toys or small replicas. He studied till class ten and then took up odd jobs before settling into his father’s workshop.

Innovation details: 

In 1995, at the age of 20, he set up his workshop to make grill gates, different iron structures for household use, and motor repairing work. Born and brought up in a rural area, it was easy for Rafiq to identify with the daily problems, which finds reflection in the products he designs. Given the poor condition of electricity in the region, he was in dire need of an electricity generator for his workshop. However, he did not have the funds to make a purchase. This prompted him to design a pressure generator for producing electricity. Rafiq claims to have developed a generator, which can produce 40W electricity. His innovation won him much admiration in the district and invited the Islamic University of Science and Technology to demonstrate his device. 

Rafiq devotes most of his time working on his innovations and developing new prototypes. His wife is very considerate and supportive of his efforts and majorly shoulders the family’s responsibility, giving him the much-needed time to follow his passion. She hopes that one day her husband’s persistence pays off – ‘Mehnat tas Chu fal’, she says, implying hard work secures reward.

This iron ladder has a multipurpose use in horticulture during harvesting and branch cutting and is more secure than those in the market. It is designed like a tripod with a total height of up to 12 feet. Its wide pillar length ensures that a person can stand on it securely without losing balance. A basket can be pulled up and down using a rope pulley attached to the supporting pillar, which can be adjusted by hand without needing an additional tool. This ladder can be folded to half its size and used as a 6 feet ladder when open. It is portable and ideal for both indoor and outdoor use.

The ladder is made of strong material which can hold up to 100 kgs of weight. The product has yet to go to the market. However, it is safe and secure and easy to carry, making it a potential winner. The ladder gained recognition during the 9th National Biennial Grassroots Innovation Awards 2017, held on March 4th, 2017 at Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi.

Groundnut Thresher

Name of Innovator: Mr. Nileshbhai Dobariya

Address: Village – Boriya , Ta – Jamkandorna, District – Rajkot, Gujarat. 

Email Id: infopramukhpower@gmail.com 

Video Link: https://youtu.be/ppIXKPBopMk

Innovator Details: 

Nileshbhai (35) is a practicing farmer also involved in trading plastic items and farming. Hailing from Boria village in Rajkot, Nileshbhai Dobariya was born into a family of farmers. Though he began to work on a farm at a young age, he switched to trading plastic items to earn a living. He had a curious mind, constantly observing, experimenting and finding solutions to work processes simply. He has studied until standard X, however, the lack of education has not been a bar to his innovative abilities. He has to his credit the development of an automatic battery-operated floor-cleaning device, which is currently being used at the Swaminarayan temple in his village. 

Innovation Details: Farmers usually face scarcity of labor at the time of groundnut harvesting. The process required manual labor to use the conventional threshers and then collect the harvested/dug groundnut stalk. Any delay in the collection delays the drying process, leading to a loss of valuable crop. Nilesh and his friend Pankaj planned a device that could move around the field and pick up the heaps of harvested and dried groundnut stalks to overcome this problem. They developed their prototype in 2015 and then set out to improve it.

What resulted was a modified tractor mounted PTO-powered mobile automatic thresher, consisting of an endless chain for collecting pods and stalk, a threshing unit, a separation unit for groundnut pods and stalks, and a separate chamber to store groundnut pods and stalks. The device consumes 2 liter of diesel to cover 1 to 1.5 acres of land in 1 hour with a capacity to store 600 kg of groundnut and 800 kg of stalk. It has been successfully used for threshing groundnut with an efficiency of 90%. Its cost of operation is only Rs 280 to 300 per hectare and can also be used for harvesting soya bean and pigeon pea. The cost of the mobile groundnut thresher is Rs 500,000. 

Nilesh was facilitated at the 15th FGI Awards for Excellence, 2018 where he received the Best innovative work award in the field of agriculture development, His innovation got financial support for marketing and prototype development under MVIF from GIAN and SIDBI. 

The machine has the following features 

• A conveyor belt for picking the harvested groundnut pods from the fields. 
• Storage system that stores fodder and crop separately when the machine moves.
• Hydraulic system to ensure that the product and by-product (fodder) are deposited on the designated space in the fields.
• Apart from the driver who operates the machine, no additional labor is required. 
• Socially, this product has the potential to improve the livelihood of farmers and the communities at large. 
• It reduces manual labor and ensures a faster lead time in threshing 
• It reduces unattended wastage of crop 
• Farmers also gain in terms of a commercially viable by-product
• There is no or very minimal loss in the next crop which otherwise would occur if some nuts remained in soil. 
• Timely threshing leads to quality nuts and better price 

Banana fiber products

Name of Innovator: Mr. Murugesan

Address: 3/43 main road, Melakkrl Village, Vadipatti Taluka, Tamil Nadu.

Email Id: vivekseva@gmail.com 

ropeproductioncenter@gmail.com

Video Link: https://youtu.be/e-uhCoSIicE 

Innovator Details:  

Mr. Murugesan is a school dropout who hails from the village of Melakkal in Madurai, Tamil Nadu. Family hardships and the need for sustainable development motivated him to identify means to put banana waste to use. He finally discovered a way to weave the waste into ropes that could make waste bags and baskets. According to The Better India, an Indian digital media platform, Murugesan set up his own M.S. Ropes Production Center to create these products. This innovation has won him many awards and accolades. However, his journey has been far from easy. Innovation Details: Murugesan came up with his idea of a rope when he witnessed thread made from the banana plant being used to weave flowers into a garland. However, it was easier thought than done. Initially, the rope would simply split up. Also, there was no machine available that could split the banana fiber. He experimented with machines used to process coconut husk but with no success. In his native area, Murugesan says some machines are used to process coconut husk into ropes, and he first tried processing the banana fiber using the same technique but with no success. He then thought of inventing his machine. After many attempts, he developed a spinning machine using bicycle wheel rims and pulleys. He further invested Rs 1.5 lakh in improving the device and patenting it. In 2017, Murugesan was finally able to develop an automated rope-making machine. 

The initial hand-wheel mechanism to make rope from the banana sheath would use five people per wheel for the process, with each wheel yielding only around 2,500 meters of rope. With the new machine, the production capacity rose to an average of 15,000 meters, utilizing one machine and four people in all. The company initially started with 10 people and now employs over 350, mostly women. The turnover is 1.5 crore annually. 

Murugesan has received the PMEGP (Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme) Award from Khadi and Village Industries Commission under the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises; National Farmer Scientist Award from Union Ministry for Agriculture; and Best Entrepreneur Award from Krishi Vigyan Kendra at Jabalpur.

“What we do is braid the strands together to achieve a good tensile strength. We had to make sure that the products that we were making out of this are worth the money,” he said. 

Toilet-attached Cot

Name of Innovator: Mr. Saravana Muthu

Address: Tamil Nadu

Email Id: vivekseva@gmail.com 

Video Link: https://youtu.be/oxMLc93uLsQ  

Innovator Details: 

Saravana Muthu (40) owns an engineering workshop. Son of a car mechanic, he started tinkering with car parts early in his life and later repairing and modifying them. He now helps students in his area in machining and fabrication work related to their projects. Unfortunately, his wife became temporarily bedridden after an operation and needed help to go to the toilet. This made her highly uncomfortable to the extent she would rather control than seek help, which further added to her woes. This motivated Saravana Muthu to design a bed with an attached toilet pot, which she could use to relieve herself without assistance.

Innovation Details: S. Saravana Muthu invented a remote-control toilet bed for his wife that won him the National Innovation Prize. His wife felt awkward about seeking help, a situation with which many bedridden people can identify. Saravana decided to make a bed that had an attached toilet and ease her life. He designed a cot fitted with a 12 V battery to operate two gear motors to move the attached toilet pot vertically and sideways. 

He also incorporated a remote-controlled flushing system, making it easy to clean the pot after use. The innovation includes a flush tank, a closet, and a pipe connected to the septic tank. The patient can operate the toilet with the help of a remote. The buttons can be used to open the shutter and the closet and flush the toilet. 

His invention attracted the attention of a regional newspaper, enabling Saravana Muthu to receive his first order in 2015 from a man in Chennai whose mother had been bedridden for six years. Gradually, word spread, and Sarvana began receiving a request for the innovative bed. 

His innovation is supported under MVIF by GIAN and SIDBI for prototype development and marketing. He received a trophy, a certificate, and Rs 2 lakh from President Ram Nath Kovind, along with a reimbursement of Rs 35,000 he had used to make the prototype.

He says, “I have two goals – make a fuel-free car and become a role model for my children.” Saravana Muthu has already started working on making an emission-less car and hopes to complete his project soon.

He has a message for other innovators: “For the people who never thought that idea or creation is insignificant, my advice would be never to give up. I failed multiple times before making the right prototype for my wife. Had I given up because of external factors, my wife would have continued to be embarrassed. There is no alternative to hard work.” says Saravanmuthu.

Groundnut separator and coconut cutting machine

Name of Innovator: Mr. Senthil Duraisamy

Address: HI-SivaGangai road Melur (Tamil Nadu), Pincode-625106 

Email Id: vivekseva@gmail.com  

Video Link: https://youtu.be/npVMWAUKdQI  

Innovator Details: M. Senthil Kumar (42) is a professor of mechanical engineering and principal of a college affiliated with Anna University. He has studied until class VIII and has more than 20 years of work experience to his credit. He began his inning working in an automobile company, after which he set up his own welding company. 

Innovation Details: Senthil had observed people take out coconuts from the whole nuts harvested from the coconut trees using a crowbar.  He developed an iron cutter that could split the whole nut into two halves to extract oil for culinary purposes. At present, the motor is fitted with 1/2 hp or one hp to mechanize the cutting of the nuts. He also advocates that instead of harvesting nuts from the tree, people should just collect the ones that have fallen. This is because these nuts are fully mature and contain more oil to extract.

Further, he also advocates storing these nuts for four and half months before extracting the oil from the kernels. Normally, nuts are stored for two months after the harvest. Duraisamy’s method of harvesting and storing can increase kernel’s weight and oil content considerably. From one quintal of kernels, 71/2kg of extra oil can be obtained, and from one quintal of nuts, 15 kg of kernels can be obtained instead of the normal 10 kg from the normally practiced method. Senthil also uses this cutter to extract oil from palmyrah nuts. The mechanized version of this cutter (connecting to 1/2 hp or one hp motor) can break 8,000 nuts at a time. As an added benefit, the cutter helps to save labor costs. On average, in one minute, 25 nuts can be broken manually. The machines currently in use are typically large and consume as much as 5,000 watts. Senthil’s machine, designed as part of an incubation project, is 46 per cent smaller in volume and consumes around 2,100 watts. 

“Our machine can be easily customised according to the shape and size of the product to be manufactured. We have made thermoformed pieces using our machine with a cycle time of 3.5 seconds,” says Senthil.

The machine is priced at Rs. 1 lakh against the existing products in the market, which cost around Rs. 8 lakh to 10 lakh. The cost of running the machine is low, which naturally lowers thethe product cost. The machine requires just one person to operate.

“It would be a boon for food packaging, toiletries, pharmaceuticals and electronics industries as these thermoformed products can prevent odour, moisture and gases from damaging the products that are packed” Mr. Senthil Kumar adds.

Snow Remover 

Name of Innovator: Mr. Aabid Rehman Dar

Address: Bongam, Nowgam, Shangas, Achabal, Anantnag,Jammu & Kashmir, Pincode: 192201

Email Id:  comradesabzar@gmail.com   

Video Link: https://youtu.be/tEMI3Kn55Ds

Innovator details: 

Aabid Rehman Dar hails from Anantnag, in Kashmir. He is currently pursuing Civil Engineering from a college affiliated to Gujarat Technological University. He is 23-year-old and currently in his final year. 

Innovation Details: The Kashmir valley witnesses heavy snow and snowfall during the winter months from December to February, closing major roads and bringing mobility to a halt. Heavy snow cutter machines/vehicles are used to clean the roads, and depending on the level of snow, the process can take around 2 to 3 days. While it is easier to clean the arterial roads, the narrow paths are left with snow, which reduces mobility and sometimes even leads to people falling and getting fractures. Locals usually clean out these paths with spades; however, this is cumbersome and better performed with a mini-machine. However, with no such solution available in the market, Aabid Rehman Dar came up with the idea of a mini snow remover. Agriculture comes to a close in Kashmir during the winter months and the mini tiller machines used to plough the fields remain idle. Aabid decided to modify the tillers and use them as snow remover machines. To do this, he added an attachment to the tiller that could plough the snow from the roads. The attachment is fitted in the front of the tiller and is detachable – it can be attached or detached using 2 bolts, taking upto 2 minutes. 

The device comprises of a curved shovel blade having 48 inches of curved width. It can clean the snow from 36 inches of snow from the surface of in just one go. The whole device remains unchanged in its design & operational activity which adds Novelty to this innovation.  

Rocket stove

Name of Innovator: Abdul Kareem K A

Address: Alisha Mahal, Kizhakkekara, Near Govt youth hostel, Thrikkakara P O

Email Id: abdulkareemka999@gmail.com

Video: https://youtu.be/7qxvx2PF5Rc 

Innovator Details: 

Abdul Kareem, 57, attributes his latest innovation inspiration to the lock-down that happened to control the COVID 19 pandemic. He has been running his own company — Excellent, in Kochi for the past 40 years, “I have been making products such as boilers, and many industrial materials. During the lock-down period, I thought what if electricity and LPG supply stopped one day? What alternative can I use to cook food? Even though traditional stoves are available in Kerala, many people hesitate to use them due to the thick smoke. That’s when I started work on my rocket stove,” he says.

Innovation Details: The rocket stove is based on a concept developed by the British in the 1850s that comprised of an insulated vertical chimney. He had seen this stove in many hotels in Kodaikanal and Munnar. The stove is constructed in a way to ensure complete combustion before the flames reach the cooking surface. Abdul conducted some more research on the British stove before making his version. His stove version uses 4 mm mild steel sheets, and stainless steel sheets to make the oven chamber. The raw material is easily available both in his company and the market. He tested the stove outside his house using firewood as fuel. The stove attracted attention of his relatives, neighbors and friends who also wanted it for their use. Orders began to pour in and he began commercial manufacturing in his existing facility. The stove requires firewood, coconut shells and waste paper as fuel and cuts down smoke by 80 per cent.    

Available in four models, the rocket stove is easily portable. The premium model costs Rs 20,000 and weighs 60 kilos. The regular model has two options for cooking and grilling, costs Rs 6,500 and weighs 35 kilos. The basic model has only the cooking option, costs Rs 5,000 and weighs 30 kilos. Abdul also has a fourth kind, which he calls a ‘tour package stove’, intended for cooking on the go. This portable stove costs Rs 7,000 and weighs 20 kilos.

“I have four decades of experience in making furnaces, boilers, kitchens and other industrial materials. The rocket stove was developed out of curiosity. Thanks to Covid 19-induced lock-down, I managed to finalise the design about six months ago and now have also started the production,” he says. 

Mittidhan

Name of Innovator: Hiren Panchal

Address: First floor, Jaya Gauri Park, Hathikhana, Near Jambudi, Ta-Dharampur, Dist-Valsad, Pincode: 396050 Gujarat. 

Email Id: mittidhan@gmail.com 

Video Link: https://youtu.be/xVRm_NO_zpc  

Innovator Details: 

In Dharampur, Hiren Jayeshbhai Panchal, a young man from Rajpipla, has started a workshop called Mittidhan in Bilpudi to improve and develop innovative, durable and affordable hand tools for farmers. He also employs the local welders, helpers, painters, and blacksmiths in this process. His innovations include hand-held farm implements for children with knowledge of agriculture and a washing unit that can wash more utensils with less water. The washing unit is currently installed in 15 hostels in Dharampur, Kaprada and Bilimora. He participated online in the UN SDSN Youth Solutions report with friend Ellen Francis, and Mittidhan was selected as a finalist. The Youth Solutions report highlights startups and youth-led projects aimed at achieving sustainable development goals around the world. 

Innovation Details: According to Hiren Panchal, agricultural tool manufacturers generally target urban gardeners, not rural farmers. Studies show that 37% farm households own land parcels smaller than 0.4 ha. Traditionally, available tools are designed for land holdings greater than 1 ha. This causes hardships for the small farmers who are faced with high input costs as they have to invest in tools meant for higher land holdings. Also, lack of tools means more manual labor, and the worst sufferers in most cases are women working on the fields who have to deal with various health issues. Added to these are loss of productivity in ploughing and plucking of crops. The lack of tools for small land holdings and the resultant issues motivated Hiren to develop customize tools for small rural farmers. His primary focus has been to produce affordable, durable and sustainable tools for small and marginal farmers. In total, he has developed 35 tools with various extensions, with the average price of one tool at INR 140. Additionally, some of his revenue also comes from tools used for horticulture, urban farmers, and tool kits to introduce children to agricultural practices.

These tools increase farm labor efficiency upto 3 times over conventional tools and improve agricultural yield (Primary research, and feedback). Several studies show how mechanization can help improve yield in small farms (Wang, Chen, Gupta & Huang, 2015). They also reduce human labor and occupational hazards in farms, as Dwivedi & Kiran (2017) discussed. Mittidhan is established in the rural and tribal belt of south Gujarat (Dharampur). The production team includes youth from the region. The company collaborates with local technical institutes for training. The primary sales are through local markets (haat bazaars), where Mittidhan directly interacts with farmers. Tools are distributed through other channels such as CSR, NGOs and farmers cooperatives. The promotional material is drafted in local languages to ensure farmers can maximize from these products. This way the tools reach the grassroots level and enable small farmers to increase their produce, improve their livelihood and contribute to the local economy.   

Small and marginal farmers owning less than 2 hectares land represent 86.2% of the farmers in India, and according to the agriculture census 2015-16, their land holding is ever decreasing. The average monthly income for an agricultural household stood at INR 8931 in 2017 (NABARD, NAFIS, 2017). These meagre earnings leave little opportunity for these farmers to mechanize and thus break the vicious cycle (NSS 70, Report no. 576(70/33/3), 2013).

Filter-less Air Purification Device

Name of Innovator: Divyank Gupta, Harsh Neekhra, Gagan Tripathi

Address: 119, Neelkanth Colony, Indore (M.P) 452006

Email Id: harsh.neekhra@live.com 

Video Link: https://youtu.be/ud_nDhK1LbU  

Innovators Details: 

1) Harsh Neekha is the head of the Research and Development and overlooks all the company’s operations, Novorbis. Displaying a keen interest in astronomy, cosmology, electronics and microbiology, Harsh has a keen mind, with a desire to question existing knowledge and build upon it. He loves to use science as a tool for providing sustainable solutions to real-life problems benefitting the people and communities at large. He has completed his engineering in Electronics and Communications.

2) Mr. Gagan Tripathi is the technical and manufacturing head of the company. He has a keen interest in technology and experimenting with electronics. He has completed his engineering in Electronics and Communications.

3) Mr. Divyank Gupta is the marketing and management head of the company. He is skilled in people management and manages the human resources in the company besides keeping track of the raw material supply and taking care of the finances. He has completed his engineering in Electronics and Communications.

All three bring together bring to the table the skills, expertise and knowledge to innovate, create and market sustainable products.

Innovation Details: Divyank Gupta is a young innovator who has developed a filter-less air purification device. He has set up his company, Novorbis, a clean technology startup focused on developing outdoor, industrial and housing air purification solutions. 

Simply translated, Novorbis means renewing the world. Accordingly, his company aims to renew the world by reducing pollution and rejuvenating the environment.  The team wishes to reinterpret the environment conversation through a fusion of science and art and develop technologies that positively impact the environment.

They have developed proprietary Electro-Photonic technology for applications in outdoor, industrial and housing air purification units. The device uses electricity and light energy to purify the air and provide molecular reduction of the pollutants and gaseous contaminants. The key pollutants PM2.5 and PM10 are extracted from the air stream and up-cycled with industrial processes to make black ink, anti-bacterial coatings, and nano-tech, scrubbers. The device requires less maintenance with no bag filters and covers large areas to provide optimum AQI (Air Quality Index). Approximate Manufacturing cost per unit is Rs 2,50,000 and selling cost per unit is Rs. 5,00,000 (excluding GST). The expected sale forecast for one year is 15-18 Units. 

How the product is different from other similar products

1. World’s first filterless air purification device

2. Based On EPSD (Patent to be filed)

3. Uses 1/4th of the energy used by current devices.

4. Two-step purification –

a. Inside the device.

b. Outside the device (through the air stream from the device).

5. 7.2 billion litres of pure air delivery in one day.

6. Electricity consumption in a day is equivalent to a

cup of coffee.

7. Can be designed for different applications.

8. Up-cycle the contaminants captured through the product.

Awards:

1. India’s Top 5 Innovation Award by MHRD and AICTE at IIC POC Contest

2. Awarded by Padma Shri Shrimati Janak Palta for Best Innovation at PIMER.

3. Represented India for Innovation at second delegation GIF at Daegu, South Korea.

4. Winner of ASSOCHAM Launchpad regional Series at Indore.

5. Winner of Innovation Challenge at UNDP at Delhi.

6. Honored as a Brand Ambassador of MHRD and AICTE for promoting Innovations. 

Cycle operated Aatachakki

Name of Innovator: Gangaram Chauhan

Address: S/O-Sundar Singh Singh Chauhan – H.No-731-A Shiv Mandir Road Chaksa Jussain Panchpedwa

Pin-273004

Email Id: grchauhaninnovator@gmail.com 

Video Link: https://youtu.be/Nd5GnUOx8fg 

Innovator Details: Gangaram Chauhan, 50, holds a bachelor’s degree in commerce. It was about 20 years ago that he started experimenting and in the year 2000, came up with his first innovate product, a rickshaw, which he is improving ever since.  

Innovation Details: Gangaram, a rickshaw repairer and a resident of Ramjanaki Nagar, in Uttar Pradesh, built a cycling mill to grind wheat. During the COVID 19-induced lock-down, he found it very difficult to go to the market for grinding the flour and this motivated him to come up with a cycle operated attachakki. Gangara had to invest Rs 10,000 from his pocket to create this device. He was assisted in his’ native juggad’ by Gopal Vishwakarma, a teacher teaching mechanical engineering in a college, and Arun Kumar Singh, a teacher, teaching drawing to polytechnics’ students. Together, it took them two months to come up with the unique cycle-operated attachakki.

This innovative floor mill can grind about 8 kg of wheat and other grains in an hour. The machine is easy to use and can be operated by both women and children. Grains are poured in the machine’s upper part, then flow down to a millstone through a pipe to the bottom compartment for grinding. 

The cycle operated attachakki can grind wheat, rice and other coarse grains with no loss to their nutritional value.  The device has attracted much interest with people flocking to see the innovation and also place orders. Gangaram received marketing and prototype development support under MVIF by GIAN and SIDBI in the year 2021.  As of now, he has sold two units of his cycle chakki. He has also received the innovative farmer award in 2020.

Low-cost irrigation device

Name of Innovator: Nandeshwar Sharma 

Address: Chuhari, West Champaran, Bihar 845450

Email Id: gian@gian.org

Video Link: https://youtu.be/jXlB4f0Qu6A 

Innovator Details: 

Nandeshwar Sharma runs a factory in the village of Chhatri, repairing agricultural machinery. He is credited with developing a low-cost irrigation device that a single person can operate.

Innovation Details: 

Nandeshwar Sharma belongs to Chuhadi, Thana – Chanpatiya, West Champaran in Bihar. The innovator has made an irrigation water pump which is low-cost, can be operated by a single person, and prevents water wastage due to spillage. The device is much cheaper than other irrigation water pumps in the market. It has brass welding at valves that increase its life.

The motivation to develop the irrigation device came from observing farmers carry water from the pond to the fields. Needless to say the task was time-consuming, difficult and cumbersome. Nandeshwar’s device can drain water from any borewell, pond or river. Only one person is required to operate the pump, which does not use cow dung or soil. At a time, it can release 1 or 2 liters of water. There is no unnecessary spillage so it also prevents water wastage.  Also, the person operating the pump does not get wet while irrigating the fields. Earlier, the farmers would have to run a pumpset for ten hours to irrigate their fields. Nandeshwar’s pump has changed all that – using it, farmers can irrigate the filed in just half an hour, utilizing minimum labor and eliminating any wastage.

Another interesting feature of the pump is that even the generated hot water can be used and sent directly to the fields using an oilseed pump. At the time of irrigation, 1 hour of water falling near the pump set can simultaneously irrigate 5 square feet of land. It takes less time to operate means that farmers can also save on their diesel and electricity bills. The device, therefore, helps to save money. When the small farmers are finding it difficult to make ends meet, the opportunity to save money is a welcome relief for them. The manufacturing cost of the low-cost irrigation pump is Rs. 2500/- per unit and the selling rice is Rs. 3500/- per unit (excluding GST 18%). 

Feed mixing machine

Name of Innovator: Yasir Arafat

Address: S/O, Md Shabbir Alam, K.haat, Postk. Haat, Near Urdu Middle School, Thana-k.haat, Purnea, Purnia, Bihar pin – 854301

Email Id: y9852486646@gmail.com

Video Link: https://youtu.be/Xw9cNGNUphk  

Innovator Details: Yasir Arafat, 30 years, is an Accountant by profession with 2 years of work experience. He holds a bachelor’s degree in commerce. His innovation is a feed mixing machine that can make goat feed/ poultry feed / organic fertilizer / poultry waste fertilizer, Bio energy and feed pellets.

Innovation Details: Mr. Yasir Arafat has developed a feed mixing machine that uses corn, and millets such as bajra and soya for cattle, buffaloes and poultry animals of all ages. The machine weighs around 75 kilos and employs 1.5 HP motor. It has a grinder, hopper, a control panel board (havells), and M.S. plate. It comes on wheels, is automatic, and easy to operate. It can generate biofuel using fodder and can also produce urea pallets. The machine brings down cost of urea by nearly 40%. The approximate manufacturing unit price is Rs.1,20,000/-, and the selling Price is  Rs.1,50,00/- (excluding GST 18%). Yasir has sold 8 units, making a profit of Rs. 2 lakhs, earned at Rs. 25000 as profit margin.

The cattle feed plant is designed and manufactured to process feed pellets. It can be custom designed and engineered based upon the properties and profile of the raw material to be processed. Given the huge availability of cattle feed across India, many installations are designed to process feed pellets. The problem with most feed pellet machines is that they run feed pellets without binding. However, Yasir’s machine overcomes this problem by binding the raw material at a high pressure under heat. The device does not require any external heating source as it uses binder-less technology. Because of the heat formation, all feed pellets get roasted making the feed bacteria-free. 

The feed in pellet form provides several benefits. It is roasted, rich in protein, easy to digest, is bacteria-free and increases milk capacity of the cattle. There is no wastage during feeding. Besides, it is easy to transport, has a good shelf life, and is economical and cheaper than the market available feed 

It is well-known that pellets are more advantages to animals. The device is suitable for processing mash feed and feed materials including roughages, dry forages and green forages. (Eg. corn, straw, grass, cottonseed shell, peanut shell, coffee husks, all kinds of oil cake and meals) 

Benefits of the feed mixing machine

• Small farmers in India usually have meagre income and any use of existing resources for commercial use would bring its share of financial benefits. 
• Off season earnings will have direct impact on the disposable income which will boost the economy 
• More income would reduce suicide amongst farmers
• Women financial empowerment will drive cultural and social reforms 

Target User: Farmers, individuals, family / households, rural breeding, and small farms. The feed pellets can also be applied to fertilizer production (biological fertilizer, organic fertilizer, compound fertilizer). Features: Reasonable structure design, small occupation, low noise, easy to operate, high output, low energy consumption. You can select different size of the pellet die to produce feed pellets with different diameter. Besides, the compression ratio of each pellet die is designed according to specific raw materials. 

Foldable Cylinder Carrier

Name of Innovator: Mr. Mushtaq Ahmad Dar

Address: Kreeri, Dooru, Anantnag, J&K – 192211

Email Id: comradesabzar@gmail.com 

Video Link: https://youtu.be/E2rGd7Fldo0  

Innovator details: Mushtaq Ahmad Dar (28), a young innovator from Kashmir, innovated a foldable cylinder carrier. A ‘full-time’ innovator, Mushtaq also helps his brothers run the family business and manage the household. Knowing Mushtaq’s creative nature, in 2005, his friend, Zahoor Ahmed Shah brought him to Ahmedabad for NIF’s Third National Innovation Award Function. Mushtaq was intrigued to see and meet so many people from different parts of the country who were not trained or aided but had created many innovative solutions based on their observation skills, ingenuity, effort and hard work. He was immediately reminded of his troubled home state, which was plagued with unemployment and unrest. He imagined an innovation that, apart from solving a persistent technological problem, would also help in generating employment.

Innovation Description: Mr. Mushtaq Ahmad Dar made a foldable gas carrier that can carry gas cylinders. This makes it easy for a person to carry the cylinder from one place to another. The carrier is foldable, easy to use for even women and children, and has a loading capacity up to 60 kg. Its production cost is Rs.350/- per unit and selling price is 500/- per unit (excluding GST 18%). Its expected sale is 1000 units per year. Mushtaq’s innovation got financial support from MVIF under GIAN and SIDBI for marketing. It was also awarded in 5th National Grassroots Innovation Awards 2009. 

Innovative Agritech – Manual rice planter

Name of Innovator: Nishi Biswas

Address: D 62, Somya Vihaar, Phase – 1, Khajuri Kala, Piplani, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. Pincode: 462021. 

Email Id:  nishikantalpu@gmail.com

Video Link: https://youtu.be/gCOZuLqDtBI 

IPR: Filed (Application No. – 201821035860, CBR No. – 21617)

Innovator details: Nishi Biswas is a professional innovator. He was born into a poor farmer family. Later, his father came to the city in search of employment. After studying up to middle standard, Nishi employed various workshops repairing bicycles, motorcycles, cars, buses, and trucks. He thus honed his knowledge and skills with real-time experience.  Side by side, he also increased his knowledge by studying engineering books.

Nishi’s innovation is a waterless washing machine which is based on Quantum Physics. The device is a water-fired stove based on electrochemistry. He was motivated by the thought to ease the work of small farmers. He wanted to develop a small manual machine that would be cheaper, could run in small plots, was easily portable and did not incur extra cost to run. The first “manual paddy planting machine” was the result, which saves small farmers money, hard work, and time. His work has won him several awards. 

Innovation Details: Nishi Biswas has invented a machine for growing paddy crops. India does not manufacture a manual rice planter and is mainly imported from other countries, making it out of reach for the small farmers.  Nishi is credited to be the first to develop such a machine in the country. Till date, he has sold 3 products.

Due to the labour crisis and the high costs involved, small farmers cannot afford rice cultivation, so they migrate to urban areas to seek job opportunities. Nishi’s manual rice planter can run easily on small plots, making it extremely beneficial for farmers with small land holdings. Using this machine, a person can sow 2 acres in a day. The planter does not entail any extra running cost, and farmers can repay the loan for the machine in one season. The selling price of the machine is Rs 20000. 

Nishi made transplanting machine prototype three yprototype  However, COVID 19 proved a turning point. He converted the lock-down into an opportunity and mortgaged the jewelery of their wives and children and started commercial manufacturing of their machines in a very small way.

His innovation is supported under MVIF by GIAN and SIDBI for marketing and on-farm trials and demonstrations in different parts of the country. 

Battery operated tractor

Name of Innovator: Rahul Singh

Address: Village – Bijapar Asman Chhapara, Post- Siswa BaZar, Dist – Maharaj Ganj, U.P. 

Email Id:  rahulsinghinnovator@gmail.com

VideoLink: https://youtu.be/XlOqPAD1M0o 

Innovator Details: Rahul Singh from Maharajganj district, Uttar Pradesh, is making headlines with his talent. He is a 12th standard student at ABC Public School Divyanagar, in Uttar Pradesh. He is also an innovator in the Design Innovator and Incision Center at Madan Mohan Malaviya University of Technology. 

Innovation Details: Rahul’s father, Sanjay Singh is a farmer by profession. Rahul at an early age witnessed first-hand the problems faced by the farmers and wanted to do something to ease their burden.  He thought of making a battery powered tractor. He experimented and finally came up with a tractor that could plough an acre of field in three hours. It is eco-friendly with automatic charging and a speed of 70 kilometers per hour. It is easy to use and the switch can be charged with solar battery. The plowing machine can be easily transported and is ideal for sugarcane rolling in the fields. It can easily plow six kattha fields in two hours. It is battery-operated and so does not require diesel and petrol. It also has an accelerator and a wireless system, allowing farmers to communicate while on the move. The prototype was developed in July, 2020. The tractor has secured first place at the India International Science Festival. Rahul has financial support under MVIF by GIAN and SIDBI for prototype development, testing and trial, and tractor marketing.