Budding engineers at TIFAN 2020 competition impress with their novel craftsmanship
Pune, September 24, 2019: With an aim to reduce cultivation problems faced by onion farmers, student teams from engineering and agricultural engineering streams from 57 colleges across 9 states in India presented innovative designs of a ‘self-propelled onion harvester’ at TIFAN (Technology Innovation Forum for Agricultural Nurturing) 2020 competition held recently at Vishwakarma Institute of Technology (VIT), Pune.
The preliminary contest with the theme- ‘Self Propelled Onion Harvester’ conducted by SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) INDIA Off-Highway Board will be followed by the final round, which will be held at Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth (MPKV), Rahuri in March 2020 where the shortlisted colleges will have to demonstrate the physically build machines on the field.
Dignitaries including Dr. Major Singh, Director, Directorate of Onion and Garlic Research, ICAR, Pune, Bajrangdas Lohiya, Vice Chairman, VIT, Prof. Dr. Mangesh Chaudhari, HOD, Mechanical Dept. VIT, Ramesh Pasarija, Deputy Director, SAE India Western Section, Sandeep Joshi, Director Asia Technology Innovation Centre, John Deere India, Pune, Krishnat Patil, General Manager, John Deere India, Pune, Vivek Joshi, General Manager, John Deere India and Convener of SAEINDIA TIFAN 2020 and Rohit Sadgale, Director Marketing, Altair and were present at the event.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Major Singh urged the participants and engineering fraternity to bring out an overwhelming change in Indian farming conditions.
“The production of onion in 2001 was 1 percent per annum and it increased to almost 10 percent in 2019 but it is still bringing tears in the eyes of farmers as well as consumers. India produces over 210 lakh tonne of onion but due to the way it is harvested we see fluctuations in its prices. Also, there is no provision to store onions in bulk quantities. But through such crafts, we can surely reduce our problems, which ultimately can reduce onion prices. We need to upgrade our machines for transplanting and harvesting,” he said.
Bajrangdas Lohiya said, “Such initiatives are very important as they provide opportunities for students to convey and translate knowledge and they remain connected to the rural sector of the country. The students are trying to build a new India in the agricultural sector through digital and eco-friendly technology and is important for the growth of the country.”
“Such competitions exhibit skills and ideas of the students, which help resolving the problems of the farmers while improving the agriculture sector,” said Krishnat Patil.
