Hanirakshak: Revolutionizing Farmer Safety with Contactless Pesticide Dispersal Technology

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Overview: Every year, 44% of farmers in South Asia, including a significant proportion in India, suffer from pesticide poisoning. This exposure leads to severe health consequences, including cancer, chronic illness, weakened immunity and death. However, the introduction of contactless pesticide dispersal technology, such as Hanirakshak the AgriRover designed and built by Suhaani Sriram, offers a promising solution to drastically reduce these risks and protect farmers' lives.

Background: India, with its large agricultural workforce, faces a public health crisis due to the widespread use of harmful pesticides. In states like Haryana, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra, farmers are often unaware of the dangers posed by these chemicals. Without proper education and safety measures, many suffer from acute pesticide poisoning, which can lead to long-term chronic health problems or even death.

Statistical data from health studies and reports show that:

● 44% of farmers in South Asia, including India, are exposed to toxic pesticides annually, leading to high rates of pesticide poisoning.

● Pesticide-related health issues in India have been linked to over 2 million cases of poisoning every year.

● Research indicates that long-term exposure to certain pesticides increases the risk of developing cancer and neurological disorders by 30-50% in affected populations.

● About 10,000 Indian farmers die annually from pesticide exposure, with many cases going unreported due to lack of awareness.

The health toll of pesticide poisoning is devastating—not just for farmers, but also for the families and communities who depend on their productivity. 

The Solution – AgriRover:

The name Hanirakshak is derived from the ‘Hanikarak rasayano ke khilaph apki raksha’ 

Hanirakshak is a revolutionary contactless pesticide dispersal technology designed to reduce farmers' direct exposure to harmful chemicals. This four-wheel, remote-controlled rover uses height-adjustable spray pipes to apply pesticides autonomously, eliminating the need for human involvement in the process.

By using AgriRover, farmers’ contact with dangerous chemicals is minimized or even eliminated entirely. Key benefits of this technology include:

● Reduced pesticide exposure: Farmers’ risk of acute and chronic poisoning is significantly lowered since they no longer need to be in close proximity to spraying operations.

● Decreased health risks: With reduced exposure, the likelihood of pesticide-related diseases such as cancer, respiratory problems, and neurological disorders drops sharply.

● Increased farmer safety: Direct contact with toxic pesticides, which is currently a leading cause of farmer fatalities, is eliminated, potentially saving thousands of lives each year.

Research and Development:

Suhaani is a student of the Shri Ram School Aravali and started designing the rover in 2023. She has been developing the rover for over 2 years while also displaying and introducing the rover at notable national start up and agri-conventions.

Unique Features:

● Cycle Chain System for Motion: The motion of the rover is due to modified cycle chains looped over a 24v rotation motor and the wheels. A cycle chain motion mechanism is used to make it easy to maintain and repair in rural areas by using readily available and reparable materials.

● Height Adjustable Spray Nozzles

● An easy to use remote controller similar to that used for a toy can, making the rover easy to understand and use.

Impact on Health and Lives: If widespread adoption of contactless pesticide dispersal technology like AgriRover were to take place, the following health and safety improvements could be expected:

● Prevent 30-40% of pesticide-related illnesses: By reducing farmers’ direct contact with harmful chemicals, the number of pesticide poisoning cases could drop significantly, preventing up to 1 million health issues annually.

● Save thousands of lives: With safer farming practices, up to 10,000 farmer deaths annually due to pesticide poisoning could be prevented.

● Long-term health benefits: Reducing pesticide exposure will lead to a decline in cancer, neurological disorders, and respiratory illnesses over time. Farmers will experience improved quality of life and reduced healthcare costs.

Strategic Partnerships and Innovation: Suhaani has collaborated with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), the leading national body for agricultural research. This collaboration aims to foster innovation in agriculture and refine the AgriRover technology for large-scale deployment, ensuring that this life-saving technology reaches farmers across the country. A provisional patent for the AgriRover has also been secured to protect and scale the technology for national and international markets.

Village Adoption & Awareness Campaign: To spread awareness of the dangers of pesticide exposure and promote safer farming practices, Suhaani Sriram has adopted- Hameedpur a Village in Behror Tehsil in Alwar District of Rajasthan State, as a pilot project. Through this initiative, she is educating farmers about the urgent need to protect themselves from pesticide poisoning and the benefits of adopting technologies like AgriRover.

Crowdfunding Campaign for Protective Gear: In collaboration with the crowdfunding platform Fuel a Dream, Suhaani is raising funds to distribute protective gear such as rubber gloves and face shields to farmers in Rajasthan. The goal is to provide immediate protection to farmers while AgriRover technology is being rolled out.

Recognition and Achievement: Suhaani Sriram, the founder of Hanirakshak, was awarded the School Innovator Award at The Shriram School Aravali and is a Class X ICSE Board Topper. Suhaani also participated in the prestigious Start-up Mahakumbh 2023, a high-profile innovation event in New Delhi, where she showcased Hanirakshak among 2,000 startups and engaged with 1,000 investors. The event, organized by ASSOCHAM, NASSCOM, and other prominent organizations, provided a platform to connect with key players in India’s startup ecosystem. 

Why It Matters: By adopting contactless pesticide dispersal technology like the AgriRover, India can make significant strides in protecting its farmers from the deadly effects of pesticide exposure. Reducing pesticide-related health risks will not only improve farmers' quality of life but also contribute to a healthier, more sustainable agricultural ecosystem.

Call to Action: We invite media, NGOs, and concerned individuals to join the movement to protect farmers’ health by supporting the Hanirakshak initiative. Together, we can help save lives, improve the health of millions, and ensure a safer, more sustainable future for South Asian agriculture. Suhaani has adopted the Village of Hamidpurin Rajasthan as a pilot and is with Fuel a dream, a crowd sourcing platforms aims to raise funds for distribution of protective gear such as gloves and face shield 

About Hanirakshak: Hanirakshak is an innovative solution focused on safeguarding farmers from the dangers of pesticide exposure. By leveraging cutting-edge technology and fostering strategic partnerships, Hanirakshak aims to improve the health, safety, and sustainability of agricultural practices across South Asia.

 Download Brochure : HANIRAKSHAK (AGRIROVER) BROCHURE Suhaani Sriram