Hyderabad: Student Startups Eye Funds For Agri Products At Impulse
Alongside the seasoned lot, student innovators too will be part of the Impulse social entrepreneurship summit being held in Hyderabad on January 27. Among them is a team of three third-year computer science engineering students who have designed a portable multi-grain dryer to speed up the drying process of grains.
The innovators — Maila Mohana Krishnaveni, Swati Annam, and Banuri Jyothi — have set out to build a product that can dry paddy and other grains, including millets specific to the quantities produced in small farms of one to two acres, to arrest wastage.
This idea struck us in 2023 when we visited fields in Moinabad and Khammam. After interacting with over 1,200 farmers, we realized how widespread the issue was due to grains not being dry, said Mohana. She highlighted how the lack of space to dry grains and erratic weather often force small farmers to sell their produce at lower rates to mills.
It is for this reason that we started developing a portable dryer that can process 5 to 10 kg of grains in 10 to 15 minutes. Though similar products are available in the market, they are large, fixed at one place, and cost up to a lakh. We aim to price ours at ₹30,000 to ₹50,000, added Mohana.
Another participant, Indie Stori from New Delhi, has successfully commercialized the use of Gharat, a water mill technology, to grind indigenous variants of turmeric from Uttarakhand, among other native foods.
Our attempt is to strike a balance between purpose and profit. So one of the products we are working on is the Himalayan turmeric powder which is Gharat-grounded. In this process, the natural water stream is harnessed and directed into a turbine which runs a grinding stone to crush the turmeric, ensuring its nutrients stay in its best form, said Siddharth Ojha, director and co-founder of Indie Stori.
The Impulse social entrepreneurship summit aims to provide a platform for young innovators like Maila Mohana Krishnaveni, Swati Annam, Banuri Jyothi, and Siddharth Ojha to showcase their ideas and seek funding for their ventures. With a focus on addressing pressing issues in the agricultural sector, these student startups are determined to make a positive impact and contribute to the development of sustainable farming practices.
Impulse is set to witness vibrant discussions and collaborations among entrepreneurs, investors, and industry experts, all driven by a shared mission to create innovative solutions for the agricultural sector. Through this summit, the organizers hope to attract attention, support, and funding to enable these young minds to bring their ideas to fruition.
The efforts of participants like Mohana, Swati, Banuri, and Siddharth emphasize the importance of harnessing technology and innovative approaches to tackle challenges faced by farmers. By developing compact and affordable solutions, they aim to empower small farmers and help them improve their livelihoods.
As the social entrepreneurship summit approaches, it becomes clear that the future of agriculture lies in the hands of these bright young minds. With their passion, ingenuity, and determination, they are poised to revolutionize the agricultural landscape and build a sustainable future for farming communities across India and beyond.
The Impulse social entrepreneurship summit promises to be a platform where groundbreaking ideas converge, collaborations are forged, and funds are raised to support these visionaries. By encouraging the participation of student startups, the summit not only showcases the immense potential of young innovators but also inspires others to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams.
Hyderabad is bustling with anticipation as the city prepares to host this prestigious event. As the countdown begins, all eyes are on the ingenious creations and innovative solutions that will be presented at Impulse. The future of agriculture is about to be redefined, powered by the passion and determination of student startups aiming to make a lasting impact on the agricultural sector.
