THEME OF INNOVATION
Vermi Remediation of Infertile Soil Using Earthworms

Focus AREA
Fertilizers, Pesticides and additives

DETAILS OF INNOVATOR

Name	Dr. Suneet V. Dabke
Experience	9 years
Region of operation	Gujarat
Turnover	Rs. 15 lakh
Volume	Not disclosed
No. of employees	3
Contact details	FF/42, Hiravanti Complex, Opp. Aryakanya Vidhyalaya, Karelibaug, Vadodara (Baroda)
Phone	09824091307
Email	svdabke@yahoo.com

BUSINESS MODEL
Concept Biotech undertakes, on turkey basis, the setting up of plants for solid waste management especially Industrial sludge generated from textile industry, oil refinery, dairy, distilleries, pulp and paper mills, food processing units, mushroom waste and other allied agriculture waste with the aim of treating toxic organic waste into non toxic manure.

INNOVATION DETAILS
The detrimental impact of rapid development in the chemical material industries in recent decades in the accumulation of large quantities of toxic pollutant in environment.

Treatment & disposal options for such pollutant are very limited. Land filling, incineration of waste and fixation has been used.

Disposal of inhibitory waste to landfills leads to their leaching and dispersal in the environment, while the incineration would lead to their conversion to gases as pollutant. Fixation or immobilization on the other hand requires the immobilized mass to be stored but these also suffer from the potential for leaching of the pollutant. All these directly or indirectly degrade the health of the soil. Dr. Dabke developed a process of cleaning up of contaminated soil using earthworms (in 2005).

He cleared the land of solid toxic waste, and then inoculated it with bacteria. He gave some nutrients to the bacteria to survive. Then, he planted green fodder on the land and followed it by mulching using a tractor.

He then introduced earthworms on the soil (vermin-casting) as they increased the moisture retaining capacity of the soil. He then planted grass and introduced earthworms again. This cycle took about three years and at the end of it the health of soil had completely changed.

There were two major aspects of this technology:

(a) CULTURING OF BACTERIA: The bacteria were developed from vegetable waste (especially spinach, green vegetables). This waste was fermented and the bacteria were isolated from it. Some special type of fungi was added and then this bacterial solution was applied to the soil.

(b) CULTURING OF EARTHWORMS: The real expertise lie in using the earthworms for treating the toxic waste. The earthworms are not conditioned to breed in such toxic environment and hence managing their life cycle was critical. The earthworms were first acclimatized to the industrial/ toxic waste in a laboratory. These earthworms were then used in the field.

IMPACT OF INNOVATION/TECHNOLOGY
The results of this state of the art process have been outstanding. The contamination levels in the soil have reduced more than 60% within a year. The soil have transformed from toxic and infertile to really good health. The N-P-K content of the soil has increased to 1% each from almost zero before the treatment. The lead and other heavy metal content has reduced from 500 ppm to much acceptable 10 ppm. It has also reduced ground water contamination by about 10%.

RECOGNITION/AWARDS
. His first project was funded by Blacksmith (a US based NGO) and Asian Development Bank and was carried out on a GIDC land

. Was awarded the Best Eco Solution by CNN

. Recipient of the Full Bright Scholarship, US Government

ISSUES
No issues

THEME OF INNOVATION
Research in Pomegranate Infections, Grapes Fruit Size

Focus AREA
Fertilizers, pesticides and additives

DETAILS OF INNOVATOR

Name	Shri Bhagwan Nane
Experience	13 years
Region of operation	Maharashtra
Turnover	Rs. 25,60,000
Volume	1,100 litres
No. of employees	5
Contact details	At Post Wadiak, At Pule, Taluka Kalwan, Nashik
Phone	09423255024
Email	NA

BUSINESS MODEL
Provides free consultancy and after sales support. No partnership involved. The fungicide is priced at around Rs. 580 per litre while the growth regulator is priced at around Rs. 3200 per litre.

INNOVATION DETAILS
He has conducted extensive research in the pomegranate, grape and tomato diseases.

The main focus of his research has been in increasing the size of grapes and in countering the oily spot disease in pomegranates. This research has led to the creation some potent formulations for the control of these diseases on the fruits – resulting in not only preventive capabilities, but also curative.

The products are a fungicide and a bactericide for Pomegranates and a growth regulator chemical for Grapes.Both types of products have been extensively tested in farms around Nashik.

The chemicals for pomegranate have been tested even for curative properties of oily-spot disease successfully. The products are currently being considered for registration with the Central Insecticide Board (CIB). He has also set up his own manufacturing unit.

IMPACT OF INNOVATION/TECHNOLOGY
The diseases in grapes and pomegranates had greatly troubled the farmers in the area. These formulations have effectively helped them to fight the diseases in a very cost effective manner. Apart from generating employment to the youth in the area, the farmers in the area have also established a strong belief in his products.

RECOGNITION/AWARDS
None

ISSUES
He is worried about the knowledge of the formulations being passed on to other companies even before the product gets approval from the Central Insecticides Board & Registration Committee (CIBRC). He has also cited much difficulty in getting the products registered with the CIBRC.

THEME OF INNOVATION
Organic Solution to Pests, Fungus and Viral Diseases – ECOGOLD 999 PLUS

Focus AREA
Fertilizers, pesticides and additives

DETAILS OF INNOVATOR

Name	Mr. Pradeep Bhatia
Experience	47 years
Region of operation	Maharashtra
Turnover	120 crore
Volume	Not disclosed
No. of employees	Not disclosed
Contact details	Metro Exporters Pvt Ltd, 132, Kakad Chambers Dr. Annie Besant Road, Worli, Mumbai - 400018
Phone	022 24916500/6530
Email	kamdar@metroexporters.net pradeep@paksagro.com

BUSINESS MODEL
Paks Agro produces and markets this crop protector in local markets. They distribute it via various agents in the rural areas. It is exported by Metro Exporters Pvt Ltd.

INNOVATION DETAILS
This is an organic crop protectant spray which gives us one integrated solution to manage and prevent pests, fungus and viral diseases.

It altogether solves the need to use any kind of chemicals while farming in a remarkably effective manner. It totally replaces synthetic pesticides and optimally balances pesticidal strength with low phytotoxicity. It has a unique combination of physical properties like low surface tension (for better surface coverage and easier automation), low volatility (for longer adherence to leaf surfaces and minimal drift in aerial applications) and low water solubility (to resist rain wash off).

This spray further increases efficiency of certain chemical pesticides by modifying leaf and insect surfaces to promote further better penetration without harming the plant.

The complete structure is installed at site with nuts and bolts. All the towers are coupled to each other with flexible leak proof coupler and can differ in all X, Y and Z planes by about 7.5 to 9 degrees misalignment without any structural instability. The controller stops the machine immediately if the misalignment goes beyond this point. Goose necks are provided at calculated predefined points, with heavy pendants that hold sprinklers. The length of the pendant can be adjusted to suit the crops, cropping patterns and crop conditions.

The distances and discharge through these sprinklers are decided such that there is even distribution of water throughout the covered area. The sprinklers require quite low water pressure, reducing the overhead on pump.

A logic controller installed at the pivot point controls all the pivot operations. Generally the machine works on 60 volts DC nominal supply, but can operate safely between 52 to 70 volts.

IMPACT OF INNOVATION/TECHNOLOGY
It is successful in controlling in powdery mildew, rose black spot, citrus greasy spot, citrus sooty mould, dowry mildew, botrytis etc. Using this spray reduces the no of sprays to be used by the farmers as it simultaneous controls various pests and diseases.

RECOGNITION/AWARDS
None

ISSUES
The biggest issue this product faces is in distribution in rural areas. It is very difficult to compete with large established pesticide companies who have very elabourate networks in the rural areas.