Do you love houseplants but worry about who will water them when you're away? Grassroots innovator Dipak Dhibar has the answer.
Dipak, a youth from a fish vendor's family in Chandil, whose interest in science and robots was recognised by CSIR-NML scientist Mita Tarafder of Jamshedpur, has invented an auto-irrigation system that helps in timely watering of plants even if people are busy or out of home.
The system, which uses the drip irrigation method to eliminate water wastage, automatically turns on watering and stops according to the time set by the user.
In this project, Dipak, now 22 and studying at Burmamines-based Industrial Training Institute in electronics and mechanics, has taken help from CSIR-NML senior principal scientist Tarafder.
"The auto-irrigation system works on four main components, timer circuit, electric solenoid valve, pipes used for salines and water flow controllers," said Tarafder. "On a preset time, the timer will automatically activate the electric solenoid valve and allow the flow of water through the pipes connected to a nearby tap. The timer will allow the water flow for a specified duration after which the valve will be deactivated. The system can also be used for vertical gardening."
Though the system has just been invented, it already has its first customer in a couple in Baridih, Chiradeep and Pampa Ghosh, both corporate executives who live in Vijaya Gardens. The system waters their plants twice a day from 7am to 8am and 7pm to 8pm.
"In our busy lives, it's tough to manage time to water the garden everyday. The system is a boon really. I set the times and don't have to worry. Moreover, no water is wasted in this drip irrigation system. What's special is that you can set the flow of water with the help of a valve attached to the pipes," a happy Pampa said, adding the set-up cost them Rs 3,000.
The system has four more takers in the city, added a shy yet happy Dipak.
Work on the auto-irrigation system is being done under NGO Relearn Foundation, in which Tarafder is involved, Dipak said. Relearn Foundation works to educate and groom poor children and encourages the concept of doing by learning.
For the children the foundation works with, Dipak is a hero. They know him as the person who, as a teen, created robots with ice-cream sticks.
But, the modest youth brushes aside all praise and talks about his next project with mentor Tarafder, using kitchen waste water to water plants using the same process. "The whole idea is to save water and make our residential areas more green," he said.
Will you use the auto-irrigation system for your garden at home? Tell ttkhand@abpmail.com
