A team from the Combustion Research Lab at IIT Bombay, along with Kripsika Innovation Pvt Ltd., has introduced a groundbreaking solution to protect crops from hail damage at the IInvenTive 2024 R&D fair. The development of this indigenous anti-hail gun is a significant achievement in agricultural technology, particularly for regions like Himachal Pradesh, where apple crops suffer extensive damage due to hailstorms.
The team, including Shubham Chauhan, Mohammad Kalamuddin Ansari, Saran Lakshmayyah Solagar, Shawnam, and Sudarshan Kumar, recognized the challenges faced by farmers in installing anti-hail nets, which are the common preventive measure against hailstorms. These nets can be difficult to install and manage, especially in large orchards.
The innovative solution proposed by the team involves an anti-hail gun that generates a detonation wave using a combustible fuel-air mixture. This wave effectively raises cloud temperatures, thereby preventing the formation of hailstones. The major breakthrough in this invention lies in its affordability and practicality for farmers. Unlike imported anti-hail guns that cost over 70 lakhs and rely on expensive acetylene gas, the indigenous gun developed by IIT Bombay operates using LPG – a more readily available and economical fuel option.
The design features of the anti-hail gun include a detonation tube, a convergent-divergent duct, and a diverging nozzle, all engineered to maximize efficiency and safety. The estimated cost of 25-30 lakhs makes this technology a viable and accessible option for farmers, significantly reducing the financial burden of crop protection.
This indigenous anti-hail gun stands as a testament to the innovative spirit and problem-solving approach of Indian researchers. By making this technology affordable, the team from IIT Bombay has opened up new possibilities for farmers, offering them a cost-effective solution to protect their crops from the devastating impact of hailstorms. This innovation not only has the potential to save millions in crop losses but also to improve the livelihoods of farmers and horticulturists in hail-prone regions.
For more information on this groundbreaking development, interested parties are encouraged to contact Shubham Chauhan at shubham.c2294@gmail.com
–Raja Aditya