THEME OF INNOVATION
Wane Model for Efficient Water Management

Focus AREA
Irrigation

DETAILS OF INNOVATOR

Name	Dr. Dattatray Wane
Experience	35 years
Region of operation	Maharashtra
Turnover	Rs. 75,000–1 lakh
Volume	Not disclosed
No. of employees	1
Contact details	At Post Manori, Taluka Rahuri, District Ahmednagar Maharashtra
Phone	09822274226
Email	dr.dattatrayvane@yahoo.in

BUSINESS MODEL
With the help of agricultural department, he gives lectures in different districts of Maharashtra. In the agricultural news daily AGRO1, his success story was published in 2007. Now he has started infrastructure consulting for which he charges for travel and a consulting fee Rs. 500–1000 per acre of farm

INNOVATION DETAILS
Mr. Dattatray Wane adopted the drip and sprinkler irrigation technique as per the case in crops like onion, wheat,chickpea, sugarcane, thereby increasing the water use efficiency.

He developed the Wane model for efficient water management and also developed a precision farming technique, and conducted farm trials & field experiments on his farm

He improved scientific methods of crop selection, rotation, planting etc. He also practiced scientific storage techniques and delivers lectures on water management – along with organizing field visits of farmers on his farm and guiding them. This has improved the Benefit: Cost ratio significantly for the farmers.

IMPACT OF INNOVATION/TECHNOLOGY
Due to continuous supply of water in soil, the yield of wheat is increased from 1.5 tons per acre to 2 tons per acre. Labour requirement is reduced to one sixth and it also increases the quality of soil. In case of wheat 30% of water is saved whereas 40% of water is saved in case of onions. It is very easy to install. Use of precision farming techniques has reduced drudgery.

RECOGNITION/AWARDS
. Director, Babu Rao Tanopwar Sugar Factory

. Village Sarpanch

. Member, Milk Co-operative Society and Water Management Society

. Sahyadri Krishi Sanman Award, 2008 by Mumbai Doordarshan

. Zee Samman (Krishi) Award, 2008 by Zee 24 Tas, Mumbai

ISSUES
Lack of skilled manpower is a constraint.

THEME OF INNOVATION
Refined Drip Irrigation System

Focus AREA
Irrigation

DETAILS OF INNOVATOR

Name	Shri Vishwanath Tatyasaheb Patil
Experience	23 years
Region of operation	Maharashtra
Turnover	Approx Rs. 15 lakh
Volume	Banana-30 tons, Sugarcane - 400 tons
No. of employees	12
Contact details	At Post Ambap, Taluka Hatkanangale, District Kolhapur, Maharashtra
Phone	09823183833
Email	NA

BUSINESS MODEL
The innovator provides free consultation to the farmers. He formed an agricultural scientist’s forum in the village. He also formed Tatyasaheb Kore Krishi Vigyaan Shetkari Mandal in collabouration with NABARD and an Agricultural University. He provides 5 days training to the farmers every month and conducts farm visits for 100 farmers per month.

INNOVATION DETAILS
Shri Vishwanath Tatyasaheb Patil modified the existing drip irrigation system according to the needs of different crops. The spacing between drip lines and that between two drippers, the type of drippers, the diameter of the drip line and the rate of discharge of water were customized to suit different crops. It increased the yield and health of the soil. These modifications were made without disturbing the assembly and the required water pressure. It is best suited to crops like sugarcane, banana, soybean, groundnut, Bengal gram and vegetables where fertigation is relatively easier. The drip system is economically viable with cost of Rs. 62,000/hectare having a life of 10 years. Shri Vishwanath saw his net profit increase by Rs. 55,000/hectare.

IMPACT OF INNOVATION/TECHNOLOGY
This practice saves labour, is user friendly and easily adaptable. It utilizes water resources in a very efficient way and enhances production. It increases the area of application by 20 tons per acre in terms of sugarcane and 5 tons per acre in terms of banana. The success that he has achieved by the use of this system has prompted many farmers to come to him for advice and implement the same technology in their fields too.

RECOGNITION/AWARDS
. Recipient of State level ‘Oosbhushan’ award for highest sugarcane yield in the state

. Vasantrao Naik Krishi Puraskar award

. Chhattrapati Shahu award for agriculture development

. President, Farmer Scientist Forum, KVK, Kolhapur

. President, Krishi Vigyan Mandal, Ambap

. Ex-member of extension advisory committee of MPKV, Rahuri

ISSUES
According to the innovator, the farmers are very reluctant to adopt such unconventional methods of farming and it is difficult to change their method of thinking.

THEME OF INNOVATION
Alternate Spacing in Cotton for Cost Effective Drip Irrigation

Focus AREA
Irrigation

DETAILS OF INNOVATOR

Name	Shri Ghawate Arjun Sarjerao
Experience	43 years
Region of operation	Maharashtra
Turnover	Approx Rs. 13 lakh
Volume	Cotton on 16 acres
No. of employees	13
Contact details	Satana, District & Taluka Aurangabad, Maharashtra
Phone	09422291285
Email	NA

BUSINESS MODEL
He provides free consultation to the farmers about this method. He has grown cotton 16 acres using this technique through which he has earned up to Rs. 13 lakh.

INNOVATION DETAILS
Shri Ghawate Arjun designed an innovative cotton plant spacing scheme in drip irrigation while keeping the plant population same as recommended. The recommended plant spacing for cotton is 90 x 60 cm, which requires 111 laterals per hectare. Instead, he practised a plant spacing of 180 x 30 cm which requires only 55 laterals per hectare.

IMPACT OF INNOVATION/TECHNOLOGY
This changed plant spacing i.e. 180 x 30 cm reduces the cost per lateral by about 50%. It also results in better aeration between two rows. As the spacing is wider, crops like green gram, black gram, soybean etc. can easily be intercropped with cotton. This gives additional income to the farmers, as well as improves soil fertility. This type of drip irrigation structure is also cost effective and gives a better crop yield (17 to 18% more) against the traditional practices. More than 400 farmers (corresponding to about 260 hectares) have successfully adopted this practice. It also reduced the labour requirements to one third.

RECOGNITION/AWARDS
None

ISSUES
Skilled labour is required for this practice which sometimes creates problems for the innovator. Timely seed availability and fertilizer supply is also an issue for the innovator.

THEME OF INNOVATION
Solar Powered Constant Move Central Pivot Irrigator

Focus AREA
Irrigation

DETAILS OF INNOVATOR

Name	Bright Star Electronics
Experience	35 years
Region of operation	Maharashtra
Turnover	Approx Rs. 50 lakh
Volume	Not disclosed
No. of employees	9
Contact details	Shri Padmakar Kelkar 43/2, Erandawana, Konark Udyog Premises, Off Karve Road, Pune - 411038
Phone	020 25430768
Email	brightsrare@dataone.in

BUSINESS MODEL
Since 2004, he tried to market his product but was not successful due to high price of the machine. He also installed one of his machines in an Onion research centre. This machine is relatively big in size and costs about Rs. 15 lakh and irrigates up to 25 acres of land.

INNOVATION DETAILS
The machine has a centre pivot with number of spans or towers around it. There can be 3, 4, 5, 6 and up to 7 towers each of 90–130 feet long depending upon the size and shape of the farm. The water discharge can be modified by using different sprinkler combinations. Water is applied at this stationery pivot point. Coupler with rubber boot avoids leakage, while the whole water carrying structure is rotating. All towers have stable ‘A’ frame, 48 volts 100 Watt, geared DC Motor coupled to a heavy duty gear box, ultimately driving the wheels with tractor tyres. An extra 20 feet extended cantilever portion at the end towers covers extra area without adding any drive, frame and other components - making it cost effective.

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
Due to even distribution of water (80–100% above normal), yield is increased by 180–220%. By using this technology, pumping cost is reduced to a greater extent as well as 50% more water is saved. This method can Irrigation also be used for watering the plants during night times which again reduces the water requirements. Water can be applied either in large quantity with bigger intervals or in small quantity with small intervals suitable for particular crop depending on soil and atmospheric conditions. Water can be applied at any time of the year, even during the intermediate time after first shower during rainy seasons. All hilly, uneven portions of the field are also brought under cultivation which further increases the yield. This machine works on solar energy - thus no electric power is needed. Fertilizers and insecticides can also be applied in liquid form with water - it prevents degradation of soil. Life of one irrigator is more than 30 years. Variable speed drive makes it adaptable for convenient water management.

RECOGNITION/AWARDS
. Selection at Innovation 2008 by IIT Bombay Alumni Association, Pune

. Best Entrepreneur award at All India Unity Conference

ISSUES
. The main issue they are facing is the finance for the manufacturing of the machine

. Awareness about the benefits of the machine is also an issue for them

. Due to higher cost of the machine, small farmers cannot afford this without subsidy

. For past 2 years, he has not put efforts in marketing this.

THEME OF INNOVATION
Irrigation through Innovative Wind Mill

Focus AREA
Irrigation

DETAILS OF INNOVATOR

Name	Mr. Kalu Bhai Gondliya
Experience	3 years
Region of operation	Nearby Villages
Turnover	Rs. 2,00,000
Volume	11 acres
No. of employees	1
Contact details	At Post Rajavadar, Taluka Mahuva, Bhavnagar, Gujarat
Phone	09979186981
Email	NA

BUSINESS MODEL
Mr. Kalu Bhai has been involved in irrigation of 5 acres land under agriculture and 6 acres land under horticulture for 3 years using the innovative wind mill for which he has got the subsidies of 50% from the Gujarat Energy Development Board. His annual turnover is Rs. 2 lakh from the agriculture only.

INNOVATION DETAILS
After realizing the problems like inadequate water supply, drastic fluctuation in ground water level and unavailability of electricity, Mr. Kalu Bhai was prompted to think of an innovative alternate solution to lift the water for irrigation and animals. Thus, he identified and decided to tap the wind power which was good enough in the region to solve this problem. He identified the demand and conceptualized the required wind mill pump and then contacted to government for receiving the fixed subsidy in order to install this eco-friendly renewable energy system for lifting the water for his farms which constitutes of 5 acres agricultural land and 6 acres horticultural land.

IMPACT OF INNOVATION/TECHNOLOGY
Due to adequate and timely water supply, an extra of 0.5 acre land is irrigated daily.

The labour requirement is also reduced by 50%. The system is very easy to maintain. Since there is no electricity required to run the system, it is an eco-friendly method which provides 24 x 7 water supplies for irrigation.

As a result, an increase of Rs. 4000 per year profit was also observed by the farmer.

Additionally, in order to increase the awareness of the village people in Soil, Energy and Environmental conservation, he has been conducting workshops in the village schools.

RECOGNITION/AWARDS
None

ISSUES
People often have disinclination to adopt this method due to the high cost involved in it. Moreover, it also requires skilled manpower to handle the project. But the spare parts are easily available.