SRINAGAR: A 23-year-old innovator from Anantnag district has developed a fully automated seed sowing machine, bringing technological intervention to farming.
Naik Qayoom, son of Abdul Ahad Naik from Kreeri village in Dooru of Anantnag, is not only a national innovator but also a beacon of hope for aspiring innovators. He has been assisting youth interested in innovations.
Qayoom observed a lack of technological advancements in the agriculture sector and realized that people in Kashmir were still relying on traditional methods. Thus, he decided to introduce innovations in agriculture.
His project of an automated seed sowing machine was selected at Punjab University in 2020 through the National Institute of Technology (NIT), Srinagar. Although it was also chosen for the national level, he opted to go with NIT Srinagar.
After two years of hard work, Qayoom successfully developed the machine, which will greatly benefit farmers by enhancing their production through efficient line sowing techniques.
He explained that line and point sowing methods were rare in Kashmir, and while Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) centers had initiated it, they still required additional manpower. Qayoom’s machine performs both line and point dropping with seed control, eliminating the need for manual labor.
The machine is capable of sowing any seed and can also be used for fertilizer scattering. It was launched in 2022 under the Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME), with the project inaugurated by the Director of Industries.
Qayoom expressed his desire for the administration to assist him in establishing a manufacturing unit due to the increasing demand for the machine. This would facilitate large-scale production and benefit the farming community. The machine is available in three versions, priced between Rs 15,000 and Rs 30,000, featuring three-in-one technology.
Qayoom has made significant contributions to the field of innovation and has supported other innovators by bringing their inventions to the market. He has received multiple awards at the state and national levels for his agricultural startups and is currently working on various other projects. (KNO)
