Mysore/Mysuru: Agriculture is the backbone of Indian economy as it supplies raw materials for many of the industries and is the source of livelihood for the majority of rural populace in India. 

There have been innumerable transformations in cultivation practices of crops and also simultaneously many innovations too were successful in changing the face of Indian agriculture from mere ‘sip to mouth’ position to the position of self-sufficiency.

With innovations in farming technology, smallholder farmers have seen a rise in productivity over the last decade. Use of innovative technology is necessary to propel Indian agriculture along the growth path. One such innovation is this low-cost paper pot transplanter. 

Four final year students from the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Vidyavardhaka College of Engineering (VVCE) in the city, have designed and developed this at a price of just Rs.11,000.  

Dr. N. Vasudevan, Associate Director of Research, Agriculture University, VC Farm, Mandya, who suggested students to take up this project said that this transplanter would be useful for small and medium farmers. With this innovation, a single person can transplant 150 vegetable saplings/seedlings per minute. A similar transplanter with half the capacity costs from Rs.50,000 to Rs. 1 lakh in Japan.

This project was carried out by B.V. Ashish, V. Akhil, S. Anush Gowda and K.S. Hemanth under the guidance of Dr. G.B. Krishnappa, Dean R&D and Professor of VVCE.

 How does it work 

The paper pot transplanter works similar to a direct seeder. There is a furrower in the front that makes a trough and the plants are fed through a channel to drop into the trough. There are two wings that push the soil back around the plants and two wheels at the tail end which lightly compacts the soil around the plants. 

Gundappa Gowda, Hon. President, P. Vishwanath, Hon. Secretary, Srishaila Ramannavar Hon. Treasurer of Vidyavardhaka Sangha, Dr. B. Sadashive Gowda, Principal and Dr. G.V. Naveen Prakash, HoD of Mechanical Engineering, have appreciated the work of students.