Bagalkot
A 33-year-old farmer from Kandagal village in Ilkal taluk, Raj Mahammed Nadaf, has created a piece of agricultural equipment using scrap materials. Nadaf, who dropped out of school after Class 5, has been working on this innovation for two years to enhance crop yield. His efforts have resulted in a 2% increase in yield for cotton, tur dal, chilli, and Bengal gram crops.
The equipment was developed with materials primarily found on his 18-acre land. It consists of a battery-operated sprayer, PVC pipes, an 8-inch blade, screws, and a motor, among other items. Nadaf estimated that buying all the materials from the market would have cost Rs 1,200, but he spent only Rs 200 on some items like screws and caps.
The equipment, powered by a 12-volt battery, can run for about six hours and is capable of covering four acres of land in a day. It can also be used for cutting weeds.
Nadaf shared that his prior experience working in a factory in Pune in 2007 helped him understand the technical aspects needed for this innovation. He believes that self-reliance and personal experimentation are crucial for the survival of farmers in today’s agriculture industry.
The University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad, recognized Nadaf’s efforts by awarding him the Avishkari Raita award during the recent Krishi Mela event.
This achievement highlights the potential for innovative solutions in farming through simple and cost-effective methods.
