Dr. V.K Tewari Conference on Innovation in Agricultural Mechanization NOVEL TECHNOLOGIES FOR PRECISION AGRICULTURE IN FARM MACHINERY DEVELOPED AT IIT KHARAGPUR Presented at Conference on Innovation in Agricultural Mechanization Vigyan bhavan, New Delhi On 7th- 8th July 2016 by Dr. V.K Tewari Professor & Head of the Department Agricultural and Food Engineering Department Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur Kharagpur (W.B)-721302, India

Automatic variable rate fertilizer applicator Fertilizers account 50% of the total agricultural expenditure. Conventional methods of application, result in excessive loss ex. Broadcasting etc. Real time estimation of soil nutrient has been a big hurdle for actual amount of their application. A Variable rate technology (VRT) with map based approach, sensors and Global positioning systems (GPS) was developed. Equipment maps the fertilizer requirement at any location and required amount of fertilizer is applied by means of mechatronic actuations GPS and controller. The technology thus variably and automatically applies fertilizer as per requirement and highly cuts down the fertilizer wastage upto 35% as in conventional approaches

Farm Implement and Machinery, AgFE Department, IIT Kharagpur Comparison between expected and actual observed values of fertilizer application rate The minimal difference in the predicted and actual value of fertilizer applied indicates the accurate functioning of the system Farm Implement and Machinery, AgFE Department, IIT Kharagpur

Farm Implement and Machinery, AgFE Department, IIT Kharagpur Ultrasonic sensors based automatic spraying systems for orchards Conventional approach of infection eradication in orchard crops have been hazardous due to excess chemical application An automatic sprayer based on ultrasonic sensing was developed for target specific application Robust ultrasonic sensors detect the presence of tree canopy and controller actuates the application system The automatic sprayer sprays only on tree canopy and remains deactivated in its absentia very unlike constant sprayers Extensive involvement of mechatronic system makes it robust and efficient applicator This automatic sprayer saves over 30% of chemical spray as compared with conventional sprayers Farm Implement and Machinery, AgFE Department, IIT Kharagpur

Testing of the sprayer unit at Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri Test data Farm Implement and Machinery, AgFE Department, IIT Kharagpur

Self-propelled jute seed drill Jute is an important fiber crop for packaging and household purposes. Hilly region also face problems of not able to have heavy agricultural machinery for farming operations. Recent times have seen decline in popularity of jute cultivation due to limited farming sources. A self propelled, light, hydraulically operated jute seed drill was developed for jute seeding. This jute seed drill is a multipurpose equipment with hydraulic system which can operate with a 5 tine cultivator and other small equipment for soil manipulation. This jute seed drill can easily be taken for easy operation in hilly areas and can be used for haulage activities . Farm Implement and Machinery, AgFE Department, IIT Kharagpur

Microcontroller based sugarcane bud cutting machine Conventionally entire sugarcane is planted A 3mm bud of sugar cane bud is sufficient for standard production. Conventional practices lose 80-90% of cane sugar A precise automatic bud cutting machine was developed to remove 3mm bud Factually entire sugarcane and its bud differ in diameter which is sensed by developed sensor The sugarcane is automatically conveyed forward by means of motor driven rollers thereby minimizing human intervention As the sensing is achieved, Cutter arm is actuated for 3mm bud removal by means of mechatronic system This automatic bud cutting machine contributes towards minimum labor costs and capacitates for 90 canes/h Farm Implement and Machinery, AgFE Department, IIT Kharagpur

Power operated whole stalk sugarcane de-trasher Sugarcane, one of the most important industrial crop gets its stalk removed manually Stalk cleaning consumes a huge amount of time in sugarcane production A simple, light weight and small stalk sugarcane de-trasher was developed with rubber-protruded rollers driven by small motor. This machine cleans stalk, 6.25 times higher than manual average de-trashing amounting to 1300Kg/h Minimum human intervention in this machine is a boon towards the cheapest power consumption and minimum fatigue and labor. Farm Implement and Machinery, AgFE Department, IIT Kharagpur

Farm Implement and Machinery, AgFE Department, IIT Kharagpur Test Results of the cane stalk De-trasher The maximum detrashing of 90.78% was observed at 1500 rpm Maximum efficiency was found at the feeding is to de-trashing roller speed ratio of 1:3 Higher output 1.62 t/h of the de-trasher was observed at 1600 rpm of the de-trashing roller speed and 1067 rpm of feeding roller speed. Less (9.22%) of trash remained on sugarcane stalk after de-trashing operation at 1500 rpm of de-trashing roller and 500 rpm of feeding roller speed. Minimal efficiency of 79.53% were found at below 950 rpm of the de-trasher. i.e., of Farm Implement and Machinery, AgFE Department, IIT Kharagpur

Farm Implement and Machinery, AgFE Department, IIT Kharagpur Microcontroller based uniform seed rate application system for efficient resource utilization Special features Mechatronics transmission system NO skid Uniform seed rate application Optimum use of seeds Electronic seed rate controller Easy adjustment of seed rate Seed monitoring system Farm Implement and Machinery, AgFE Department, IIT Kharagpur

Block diagram of uniform seed rate application system Radar sensor measures the operational speed A desired seed spacing along with No. of seed cells in a metering plate is fed as an input by the operator as per the plantation Based on the operational speed and operator input, the microcontroller with motor controller regulates DC motor in order to achieve uniform seed spacing. IR sensor detects the number of seed missing Based on seed missing, the microcontroller again regulates the DC motor for uniformity. IR sensor Radar Sensor PWM based Motor controller Micro controller Seed metering device PMDC motor Farm Implement and Machinery, AgFE Department, IIT Kharagpur

Comparison with conventional planter Parameter Conventional planter Newly developed planter Transmission system Ground wheel driven mechanical Transmission system. High seed missing index which reduces the yield. Electric motor driven mechatronic Transmission system. Uniform seed spacing which leads the better yield. Saving of seeds Variation of seed rate Difficult , by changing the gear ratios of drives by interchanging the sprockets. The seed rate can be adjusted easily by an electronic control system, which varies the motor speed. Seed monitoring system No yes Cost [approximate] 35,000 45,000 (Modification cost = 15000/-) Weight 70 kg same for both Farm Implement and Machinery, AgFE Department, IIT Kharagpur

Combination tillage implements Tillage consumes a maximum mechanical power and fuel in an entire farming cycle. Conserving power and 100% source power utilization is a big hurdle during soil manipulation Combination tillage implement technology was developed for seedbed preparation in a single tractor pass. Conventionally, primary and secondary tillage consume double time and fuel with a less power utilization. Tractor power utilization with the developed combination tillage implements was 85 to 90% excluding 20% as power reserve contributing towards most economical tillage operations Farm Implement and Machinery, AgFE Department, IIT Kharagpur

Tractor operated powered disc harrow Aiming towards efficient soil manipulation along with minimum fuel consumption and maximum power utilization tractor operated power disc harrow was developed The developed power disc harrow is the combination type of two different kinds of tillage implements such as rotavator and disc harrow. This implement highly compensates the combined operation of two different tillage implements, thereby minimizing fuel stress and maximizing power utilization efficacy for efficient field preparation. The draft requirement was found to be 34% less than an unpowered mode of the same disc harrow, thereby reducing excess engine stress and resulting into an economical field preparation. Farm Implement and Machinery, AgFE Department, IIT Kharagpur

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