Water-wise solution for paddy farmers

Boro Bandhu revolutionizes paddy farming with real-time irrigation management. It cuts costs, saves time, reduces groundwater contamination risk, and fosters sustainability using solar power and GSM connectivity to prevent wasting water/ overirrigation.

Growing up close to rural India, Arunangshu observed the practices of Boro rice farming, especially the perpetual water wastage and frequent field visits. Research showed alarming statistics, like each kg of rice needing up to 5000 L of water, contributing to India's groundwater crisis. This propelled him to develop a solution in a college project, leading to the creation of Boro Bandhu, aiming to make irrigation smarter and more sustainable. The stories from the fields have been the guiding light to kickstart this project.

Working:

Boro Bandhu, a solar-powered device with SIM-card functionality, calculates water height in rice fields via a perforated pipe. When the water level surpasses certain limits, a notification is dispatched to the farmer's phone, guiding pump operation. The smartphone app gives continuous visual feedback on the water level so that the farmer can plan his field trip accordingly and prevent unnecessary trips just to observe the water level. Considering the remote villages in countries like India due to poor data connectivity, there are SMS notifications in local languages to ensure accessibility, even to those using feature phones. 

The water level sensor and other electronic modules inside are protected well by the shell below the solar panel. Crafted to withstand harsh weather, its waterproof design uses locally sourced components for easy repair, making it an ideal tool for the next billion users.