Hyderabad: To reduce the use of plastic and help farmers during the monsoon season, two innovators from Telangana have come up with creative solutions. Their ideas have been recognized and supported by the Telangana State Innovation Cell (TSIC) under its flagship program, Intinta Innovator.
One of the innovators, Uppari Praveen, a resident of Medak, has developed an automatic rain cover system for farmers. Explaining his innovation, he said, “During the rainy season, farmers, including my father, face difficulties in protecting their crops when selling them in the market. To solve this issue, I created a tarpaulin cover that automatically shields the grain when it rains.”
Praveen’s system uses a rain sensor to detect early signs of rain. The cover quickly moves to protect grains left out in the sun to dry after harvesting. A pulley attached to the system also makes a noise to scare away birds, preventing further crop damage. This helps preserve the grain’s quality, which otherwise loses its value if it gets wet or germinates.
The goal of the project is to make it easier for farmers to protect their produce without manual effort. Praveen is currently conducting trial runs and working on upgrades, such as adding weather-forecast-based activation and sending messages to farmers about the cover’s status. “Once we achieve good results from testing, we will officially launch it,” he added.
Another young innovator, Shramitha, an inter first-year student at NSKK Junior College in Gagillapur, has developed biodegradable plastic products made from algae. Explaining her project, she said, “This is an eco-friendly alternative to regular plastic cups and plates, which are harmful to the environment.”
She uses spirulina, a type of blue-green algae, to create biodegradable plastic. Spirulina is already used in cosmetics and foods, making it a sustainable choice. It is carbon-neutral and can be produced on a large scale. “I am currently improving the product, and TSIC is helping me take this idea forward,” she added.
Both innovations aim to address critical challenges—reducing the environmental impact of plastic and supporting farmers during the monsoon season. These young innovators are working hard to bring their ideas to life and make a positive impact.
