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Kerala Man Invents Intelligent Water Stand That Can be Operated from Anywhere Via Smartphone

P A Sanjay Kumar, a Kottayam local, left his high-paying job to pursue agri-entrepreneurship and his love of farming. He invented a smart stand that waters and fertilizes your plants for you.

Updated on: 10 July, 2022 10:28 PM IST By: Kritika Madhukar
Sanjay's portable plant stand with a self-watering system that does not require electricity

P A Sanjay Kumar started his dairy farm in 2014 with about ten cows. He also utilized cow urine and dung as organic manure, similar to jeevamrut (organic fertilizer made from cow pee and dung), and sold it in biodegradable plastic pouches. This one-of-a-kind endeavor was a big success.

Sanjay’s Innovative Stand

Sanjay's next goal was to create an invention for agricultural enthusiasts who were short on time and space. In 2016, he founded Green Kairaly and devised the concept of a portable plant stand with a self-watering system that does not require electricity.

"I think that everyone has a farmer in them. "People who are enthusiastic about farming, especially those who live in cities, often don't have enough room or time to get started," Sanjay said in an Interview.

Sanjay's current models come in five different versions. These systems are completely portable and detachable, with a built-in drip watering system, a rain shelter, and a WiFi timer as options.

"While other areas are being updated, innovation in agriculture is moving at a glacial rate." People constantly argue that we should return to more conventional practices because they are more effective. 

But, instead, I believe we should keep up with the times by devising such practices”, said the 46-year-old. Sanjay's second iteration of the model, which he created in 2020, was an upgraded version of the original — this version was portable, detachable, and could contain up to 40 grow bags inside a 30-square-foot space.

"The original model had various flaws. It was compact and portable, but it wasn't removable or simple to transport and could only hold ten grow bags. An improved model was inevitable," says the vehicle engineer, adding that the second model was in the shape of a pyramid with a rain cover and a specific fertilization arrangement.

In 2021, he released his third model, which can be linked to a smartphone app that allows users to control the drip irrigation system even while they are not at home.

"People frequently worry about watering their plants when they are away from home." So, this model is a step in the right direction," Sanjay explains. “Power and a WiFi connection are required for this system to function. The drip irrigation system is equipped with a WiFi timed device. 

It can be linked to a smartphone app. Users can specify the precise time they want the irrigation system to start and stop using the app. This system can be operated from anywhere via a smartphone," he explains.

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