Solar powered sprays saves 75 % water
He said the solar battery-operated sprayers developed by CSIR-CMERI could be used for targeted pest control that will further reduce environmental pollution. The spokesperson added that the systems are equipped with 2 tanks, flow control & pressure regulators for different water & pesticide requirements of the crops, site/target specific irrigation, maintaining proper dilution of pesticide to control the pest, maintaining soil moisture levels in a narrow range & weed control.
During trials conducted by CSIR-CMERI, the farmers were told that the devices save up to 75 per cent water.
The spokesperson said, while the 5-litre backpack sprayer is for marginal farmers and the trolley sprayer with 10-litre capacity is for the small farmers of India. Institute Director, Professor Harish Hirani said, “These devices will bring a revolution in the sphere of precision agriculture by decreasing water usage in the fields. This new technology can help create agricultural avenues even in the arid & semi-arid regions”.
He said that the sprayers will be available at reasonable prices so that farmers can easily purchase them. Prof. Hirani said, “Affordable pricing provides opportunities to the cottage & micro-industries to further the outreach of the technology”.
The systems basically work on Solar-Powered batteries, thereby enabling its usage even in energy & power deprived agri regions and also reducing dependence on fossil fuels. These sprayers are very simple to develop, easy to learn & implement, thus it will help to overcome the water crisis faced by the farmers in India.
