The Akola-based Padgilwar Corporation has taken the manufacturing of agriculture equipment a step further by using the latest engineering technology to create innovative solutions that also offer mobility

At Agrowon 2014, an annual exhibition of agriculture equipment and produce held in Pune, the biggest draw was the booth of Padgilwar Corporation. And there was more than one reason for this attraction. The Akola-based Padgilwar Corporation has gained a lot of prestige over the past few decades for introducing with regular frequency innovative products that help cut farming costs, save on power bills and minimise the use of intensive labour, especially in the post-harvesting stage. Credit this to the fact that the third generation of the Padgilwars has used knowledge as one of the best tools to create solutions that can help take out the drudgery from farming. "We believe that automation and mobility are the key factors to take the agriculture sector forward in India," says Shrikant Padgilwar.

One of the two innovative machines on display at this show was the gravity grain separator which helps mechanise the labour-driven process of picking out the grain, in particular rice or wheat, from other elements like dust, chaff, tiny stones, husk, etc. "It's a first-of-its-kind system that has been patented by our company and we have already sold about 200 of these units to farmers who face labour shortage. The assembly costs Rs 3 lakhs but is extremely efficient and cost-effective in the long run because of its low consumption of power and very little maintenance," Shrikant says. Designed by him, the product has been the result of many years of engineering experience along with field surveys across Maharashtra to understand the problems of the farmers. Shrikant has a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Pune as well as a post-graduation qualification in Business Management from Mumbai's S P Jain Institute of Management.

Another innovation introduced this year has been the mobile rice mill designed by Sagar Padgilwar that is helping hundreds of poor farmers across Maharashtra produce quality rice without actually visiting a commercial rice mill. Offered at an introductory price of Rs 47,250, it runs on a single phase electric motor and helps to separate husk from rice in a mechanised way. "The product saves a farmer's time as he need not go to a commercial rice mill. Another benefit of this product is ease of usage. The larger objective is to attract younger generation of farmers towards agriculture," Sagar says. He is focused on ensuring that mobile rice mills reach underprivileged farmers for which he has joined hands with Maharashtra Agricultural Competitiveness Project (MACP). This project, which is an initiative of the state government, runs with central funding to help farmers.

"We have installed 150 mobile rice mills in Krishi Vigyan Kendras with the help of the state government. MACP conducts door-to-door survey in villages to find out deserving farmers to provide the mobile rice mill at a subsidised rate," he informs. The 'ATMA' initiative of MACP is also supported by the World Bank and has been proactive in providing training on usage of the mill to the farmers. "In these times of acute shortage of farm labour, it's becoming difficult for a farmer to remain competitive and supply his produce at an affordable cost. We keep this mind and devise our products accordingly," Sagar adds.

ATMA (Agriculture Technology Management Agency) works to increase the productivity, profitability and market access of the farming community in Maharashtra. It is believed that this would be achieved by providing farmers with technical knowledge, market intelligence and market networks to support diversification and intensification of agriculture production aimed at responding to market demand. Above all, the focus is on intensification and diversification of market-led production by providing agriculture technology transfer to improve productivity and quality production and market information and marketing intelligence, agribusiness opportunities through agribusiness promotion facility and livestock improvement through livestock support services.

The Padgilwar group of companies, under the guidance of late Balashaeb Padgilwar, started a movement of helping farmers with small agriculture equipments way back in 1960 with a lot of pioneering products, starting with 'Chincholi Perni Yantra' as the first fabricated machine at Chincholi, a small village near his native place Digras in Yavatmal district of Maharashtra. "My father was inspired by the Kirloskar Group and wanted to follow in the footsteps of industrialist S L Kirloskar. In fact, he was often referred to as Vidharbha's Kirloskar. He believed that mechanisation, as in other sectors, would offer the best solution to help farmers' tackle their many problems. And now with the supply of power becoming more regular even across smaller towns and villages, progressive farming means mechanised equipment," Sagar says.

The company's portfolio is indeed wide, including engine-operated sprayers, water pumps, harvesting equipment, power tillers, weeders, solar home and street lighting systems, solar-powered fencing system, mobile nano graders, electric dryers, threshers, etc. "We have always tried to be ahead of the curve. Take, for instance, our solar-powered fencing system. It's a modern day alternative to the conventional type of perimeter protection. These are active fences and keep away intruders. It gives a sharp shock to those who touch it, especially animals that tend to destroy the fields. And yet, even though it is momentarily painful, it is completely safe, intended to provide psychological fear," says Shrikant. "There are many such unique products in the pipeline. In fact, we have more than a 100 patents in our name," he adds.