Belthangady: The times are changing where almost everything is technology-driven. In the field of agriculture there are no great inventions to support farmers especially in coastal districts. Adding to the problem, the labour force to work in agricultural sector is not only dwindling but is expensive too. At times the yield price may not match the input costs and overheads where farmers end up accumulating losses after all the hard work. The modern day youth prefer cities over villages and this migration too is making the issue complex. Some farmers, unable to bear the burden have sold their land in the recent past.
Rakesh Hegde, with his new invention
In Dakshina Kannada there is an additional problem. In case of coconut and areca which are the main commercial crops in the area, one has to climb tall trees at various stages to execute different jobs. For better yield and to prevent crop destruction, the areca growers in particular have to spray pesticides periodically. Some times by the time they find the right people for the job, the damage would have been already done!
Keeping these issues in mind, the growers have been looking at modern methods or an alternative for the old system. The areca peeler was a great boon in this direction in the recent past. However the most exciting part of real change is in the development of indigenous products to suit needs of farmers by local product designers and suppliers.
Here is one such inventor and farmer who has developed an equipment to spray pesticides to protect areca tree from pest attack. The new invention has come as a huge relief to the farming community.
The person behind this development is Rakesh Hegde, a diploma holder and an areca grower himself. With the new invention one can spray pesticides up to a height of 75 feet standing on the ground. The entire kit consists of a 5HP petrol engine, adjustable gun varying between 14 – 24 feet and pipe wire of 100 meters. Being light weight, one can easily spray 3000 plants a day and there is pouch which can be tied around waist for ease in operation. The landlords by themselves can execute all jobs on their own.
Rakesh Hegde, under the banner Eco-fresh enterprises is marketing many such agricultural equipment and power tools through his outlet. Invented a year ago, the equipment kit costs Rs 46,000 and it can be purchased by farmers through self-help groups to avoid individual financial burden. It can be obtained on rental basis too if required.
Reacting to the developments Balenja gram panchyath member and farmer PK Chandrashekar said that the equipment kit offers a complete solution and is a significant contribution to PM Modi’s ‘Make in India’ initiative.
Lauding the efforts during live display, litterateur PR Shastri said, “The invention paves the way for farmers to introduce and adopt technology in modern era to retain their valuable agricultural land“.
The inventor and supplier Rakesh Hegde said, “More than 100 units have been sold through his outlet till date and felt this would help areca growers in solving most of their problems.”
The taluk panchyath standing committee member Sudhir R Suvarna, Balenja gram panchayth member Anil Naik and Red-B company director Anuj Padival Mysuru were present on the occasion along with others. Areca farm trolley and the machine which sprays pesticides were displayed.
Farmers who are interested in the product can contact eco fresh enterprises outlet, on mobile number 9964553455 for further details.
