In India, taking up engineering and medicine is still a fad. At least 80% of students who take up science, decide on following these paths for a secured future. Very few are interested in research. Hence, innovation and birth of new technologies become a rare phenomenon in the country.
However, four mechanical engineering students of St Thomas College of Engineering and Technology in Mattannur are chasing a bigger dream — a startup company of their own with a product that could revolutionise the agriculture sector.
About the product
P S Abhishai, N Lipin, N Rijun and K Akshay have come up with a prototype of an all-in-one tool, this Vishu season, which they claim will be a solution to the major problems of small and medium-scale cultivators all over the country.
The machine is equipped with necessary tools to help cultivators at various levels of farming from ploughing, sowing, weeding, irrigation, harvesting, milling, and winnowing.
“At present, there are separate machines available in the market for ploughing, harvesting and other purposes. Each machine costs about Rs 1.5 lakh or more. Ours is a multipurpose machine that could be available for Rs 2 lakh,”
said Abhishai.
What prompted them to do this?
“It is a common scene in our locality where cultivators are worried about the availability of machines or labourers for harvesting and other processes.There are many labourers who suffer losses due to the above factors. Our machine is a solution to all their woes,”
said Abhishai.
Abhishai says that no machines are currently available in the market to address the long list of problems that Indian farmers face.
Abhishai and his team clearly understand that farmers form the backbone of our country which is heavily dependent on agriculture. They realised it is essential to help the farmers get with their work – only then will the country have access to ample amount of food.
How did they work?
The budding engineers held discussions with farmers to understand their problems. They found that a majority of farmers in the state and country own only a small plot of land. Basically, they are involved in small-scale agriculture.
“Hence, for them, sourcing machines or hiring labourers for various farming activities are not feasible,”
said Akshay.
They learned that a farmer who owns around 10 acres has to invest an average of Rs 28 lakh to earn about Rs 35 lakh in five years.
The young entrepreneurs have rightly pointed out that in spite of putting in a lot of hard work, the farmers are able to eke out only a meagre amount of profit – sometimes, not even that.
According to Abhishai, the farmers can use their machine to reduce their expenses to a great extent.
“Using our machine, a farmer can cultivate 10 acres for just Rs 6 lakh.The cost reduction is Rs 22 lakh, which is a huge profit,”
he said.
The road ahead
In a big boost, the Kerala Startup Mission has shortlisted the idea. They have already received an email and are to showcase their product. The prototype was prepared within a month.
It was their strong belief in themselves and in each other that helped them see through their plan.
The prototype was prepared at Lipin’s workshop and was an arduous process.
“We didn’t have much time. It was college and work alone. There were many days when we had to work until 3 or 4 am. But we are happy,”
he said.
The team has already applied for a patent and plan on opening a company together, soon after they are done with college.
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