1. 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) , India

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. Thank You