Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates recently tested a new pesticide sprayer developed by an Indian startup, marking a significant recognition for indigenous agricultural innovation. The sprayer, designed to provide farmers with a more efficient and user-friendly alternative, was created by local engineer Yogesh Gawande.
As per agency report, Gawande founded his company in 2019 in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Maharashtra, with the aim of developing innovative agricultural solutions. On March 17, during his visit to the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) in New Delhi, Gates personally tried operating the sprayer in the presence of its creator.
Gawande explained that he initially developed the sprayer as part of a college engineering project. Unlike traditional methods where farmers carry heavy pesticide tanks on their backs, this device operates on wheels, allowing simultaneous spraying on four rows of crops. The sprayer's nozzle height can be adjusted between 12 to 14 feet, making it suitable for spraying pesticides on taller trees. Additionally, the nozzle pressure can be regulated to prevent crop damage.
Despite the product’s initial appreciation, Gawande faced challenges in commercializing it. However, with support from the Marathwada Accelerator for Growth and Incubation Council (MAGIC), he successfully established his company. Today, the sprayer is sold in 22 Indian states and has also received orders from African countries like Kenya and Namibia.
Gawande, who is associated with the Gates Foundation, was given an opportunity to present his invention to Bill Gates during his visit to India. Gates spent several minutes examining the device, tested its operation, and inquired about its working mechanism.
MAGIC directors Prasad Kokil and Ashish Garde highlighted the achievement as a proud moment for their organization and the city, emphasizing that locally developed innovations are gaining global recognition.
