Daijiworld Media Network - Beltangady (SP)

Beltangady, Jul 6: East Agro Robotics Private Limited has become the first ever startup company from Dakshina Kannada district to get government grant of Rs 50 lac.

The company has been set up by people belonging to agriculturist families, who know first hand the problems faced by farmers. At a time when agriculture is fast losing status as a viable profession, because of shortage of agricultural labourers, information technology can go a long way in reviving its fortunes.

The company received the said grant from minister, Priyank Kharge, which has been given to support the effort of the company in manufacturing a machine that functions like a drone. It helps in spraying insecticide to areca nut trees to ward off rotting disease. A team of former students of SDM Engineering College came together and conceived this plan to help the farmers to handle problems affecting them. Laxmish Rao from Nidle and Avinash Rao, who founded the company, had graduated from SDM engineering college Dharwad in the year 2004. The duo was working for a multinational at Bengaluru since the last 12 years. The two are supported by Chetana, and assistant professor of MIT Manipal, Kamalesh Kumar.

This happens to be the first agriculture and aerospace company to have been registered under DIPP 173 of the central government.

Demonstration of this drone was held in the presence of Dr Veerendra Heggade, Dharmadhikari of Dharmasthala, Arecanut Research and Development Foundation representatives, Campco president, Satishchandra and president of All India Arecanut Growers Association, Srinivas Achar. All these dignitaries profusely appreciated the efficient operation of the drone, it is learnt. Director of Central Horticulture and Crops Research Institute, Chowdappa, also has verified the functioning of this machine.

The machines are expected to be released to market by April next year. The company plans to set up an industrial complex at Barangaya in Nidle Panchayat, which is located five km away from Dharmasthala.