SATURDAY, JULY 27, 2024
PAUL CARVALHO
CURCHOREM: Sunil Khanolkar, an agro-entrepreneur hailing from Curchorem, has crafted a cost-effective brush mower tailored to the needs of small and marginal farmers in the state. Drawing from personal experience and a keen understanding of the challenges faced by farmers, Khanolkar’s ingenuity shines through in the design of his unique machine.
Different from the expensive grass mowers available in the market, Khanolkar's brush mower stands out for its affordability and ease of use, catering specifically to the requirements of smaller farming operations. Having developed the machine over the course of 40 months, Khanolkar, despite lacking formal engineering knowledge, is proud of his success in creating a solution born out of necessity.
The self-propelled machine, inspired by lawn mowers, only needs to be guided by a human, and eliminates the cumbersome nature of existing bush cutters that need to be hung around the neck and balanced with weight. With a 5.5 horsepower 212 cc engine and specially fabricated heavy-duty blades, the machine is designed to cut grass ranging from 1 to 6 feet in height. The adjustable cutting deck height, measuring 24 inches, ensures versatility in tackling various vegetation, and the 21-inch blade chops the grass into fine particles.
Key components, such as the engine purchased online and the gearbox provided by a friend, contributed to keeping the cost of the machine around Rs. 1.5 lakh, a massive reduction compared to market alternatives priced at Rs five lakh. The innovation incorporates a user-friendly design, featuring an easy turn setup for the tires, a side guard for operator safety, and a lever-controlled gear system located next to the steering. Khanolkar’s machine holds immense value for his 7-hectare farm in Dharbandora, where he cultivates coconuts, areca nut, black pepper, and has recently introduced spices like nutmeg, earning him an annual income of around Rs 30 lakh. “A lot of weeds and vegetation grows on my farm and to cut it, I required a machine like this and decided to develop it on my own,” he said.
Khanolkar aims to share his invention with fellow farmers, offering to modify and create similar machines tailored to individual needs. He has already informed the Agriculture Department about the usefulness of his machine on the agricultural landscape, and his willingness to share his innovation.
