A portable device to know the quality of the soil.
A device to evaluate a few things about the soil in the farmland and to determine the water content. And it is a device that farmers can easily carry around. It was developed by a startup named DPI from Kannur.
When the startup began in collaboration with agricultural experts, they thought about something that would be most useful. Accordingly, the device that can determine the nutrient values in the soil was developed, said product designer Nikhil Subrahmanyan. “This is a system that works deep in the soil and provides information to a mobile app via an electronic system.”
The DPI Team
Initially, the device was designed to be stationary, and later in a way that it could be inserted up to a meter deep. Its initial phase of testing began in August 2023. Later, based on farmers’ suggestions, many changes were made to it.
The part that goes into the soil was changed from steel to fiber and plastic. Many features were included, like making it compact. Everything was updated. The startup is trying to make the device available to farmers by December 2024.
⭐ The devices made available on an experimental basis are receiving excellent feedback. They are recording the nutrient levels in various places and creating a database. According to the availability of crops, the soil of each region is being analyzed.
Nitrogen
Phosphorus
Potassium
Temperature
pH acid-alkali level
EC Electrical Conductivity – salinity
Water content
Up to 15 elements
Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium, Temperature, pH (acid-alkali level), and EC (Electrical Conductivity – salinity) can be known with 90-98% accuracy. They say it will show up to 80% accuracy for other elements.
The presence of up to 15 elements like Sulphur, Zinc, Calcium, and Magnesium can also be known through this. The device’s superiority was proven through intensive development activities and by acquiring four similar devices that offered technical support and comparing them with theirs.
⚠️ There is also a complaint that the Krishi Bhavan did not help when approached.
A team of 7 people, led by startup CEO Abin Unni, Ashin, Arshad, Salman, Ramshad, and Ismail, is behind this.
When the probe is inserted into the soil, the result appears on the mobile application screen within half a minute.
The dryness or wetness of the soil is not an issue for this. Farmers can also check the information collected in the cloud through the app via the DPI cloud.
The startup provides such an accurate soil testing facility to farmers. This way, a farmer can check everything required for crop growth in their soil without depending on anyone else. It is also possible to apply fertilizer based on the test results.
Likewise, the device will help a farmer find the required amount of fertilizer based on the cost, crop, and fertilizer application. This will also help in farming profitably.
💡 By applying the right amount of fertilizer, excessive costs can be avoided, says startup CEO Abin Unni. It will be possible to bring about a change from traditional fertilization methods.
DPI is trying to bring the device to the global market. Currently, the price is around 30,000 rupees. Its services can be provided to farmers at an affordable rate. The price will come down when it is manufactured on an industrial scale.
The startup believes that this device has international demand, and therefore its marketing potential is huge. They say that it can be widely used for agricultural purposes and that there will be demand for it abroad as well.
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