Former Nasa Scientist creates affordable sensors to improve Crop Produce

 

 

 

Ex-NASA scientist, Parag Narvekar, with the aim to increase crop production in our country, has developed a truly affordable sensor in Nashik. This same sensor used to cost Rs. 1.5 lakhs, and is now available for Rs. 10,000 for the farmers in India. Parag said that this will help the farmers understand fertilizers and their usage & irrigation, all depending on the current weather conditions.

  

A lot of agricultural technology in the USA & Europe to do with crop production relating to the global climate change. But there wasn’t any technology similar to this in India. After working at NASA, Parag decided that its time to do something for his own country. Agriculture is the literal backbone of India. The farmers cannot afford such expensive technology which is in USA & Europe, hence Parag decided to experiment him to try to develop an affordable technology. He finally decided to put the plan in action last year.

  

These sensors will help identify the suitable timings for irrigation in relation with the weather. It will also help the farmers have a better crop quality, fertilizers can be used, medicines for the crops, and agricultural practices can be followed. These brand-new sensors can be used for weather forecasting through satellite data sets. These can also be linked with the agro advisory to catch up updates on weather developments. When the farmers place the sensors on their farm, they will be able to evaluate the weather of the areas nearby. There has been a true need for such sensors for the past 6-7 years.

  

They wanted to make sensor that not only gave accurate data but was also truly affordable. They have been working on this sensor for the past 3 years. These sensors can be kept either at the farm or at the farmers place (contradictory to the old ones which could only be at the village level).

  

Ramesh Gunja, who is a farmer working at the Sahyadri Farm, talked about the benefits of the sensor, saying that they can now understand the rain prediction and its percentage all in advance & now prepare themselves accordingly. This also helps them know the kind of medicine to be sprayed on the crops. They’ve gotten the confidence before taking any decisions to proceed with their work and wastage is prevented due to the rain. They can now make sure that the right thing goes in at the right time.