Two New Delhi students develop AgriNova machine for direct communication from fields

Rohan Lanka and Sarthak, two seventh-grade students from Army Public School Shankar Vihar in New Delhi, have jointly developed an innovative machine named 'AgriNova'. This machine possesses the capability to establish direct communication between the field and the farmer, allowing the farmer to obtain information regarding soil moisture and other issues without having to physically visit the field.

In an interview with The Hindu TeenDigest, both students stated that the primary objective of this machine is to reduce losses in farming. AgriNova is a communication device that can be controlled via Telegram, while work is currently underway to enable control through WhatsApp. Through this machine, a farmer can receive messages from his field regarding soil moisture and the intrusion of unauthorised persons or animals. If a serious problem is detected in the field, the sensors identify it and immediately alert the farmer via a phone call.

Speaking about the inspiration behind the project, Rohan mentioned that he observed a major problem when he visited his hometown. He noticed that some farmers kept the water supply running for crops throughout the night. Rohan explained, "This leads to immense wastage of water and most of the crops are destroyed." Sarthak added that they had learned about two main instances of crop loss: in one case, crops were destroyed by stray animals at night, while in another, crops were spoiled due to watering out of habit rather than necessity.

When plants are given more water than required, it leads to problems such as soil erosion and waterlogging. Additionally, agricultural runoff is considered one of the main sources of pollution in water bodies. Therefore, providing the soil with the appropriate amount of water and moisture is essential for the healthy growth of crops. Problems such as stray animals and over-irrigation inspired Rohan and Sarthak to create AgriNova.

The process of building this machine was not easy. Rohan stated that they prepared a blueprint on paper before starting the work. This entire smart farm machine was developed at a cost of only ₹2,500. The project was demonstrated at the 'Purple Umbrella Festival 2026' held in New Delhi.

Highlighting the importance of technology in agriculture, according to data from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), 40% of the world's food crops are destroyed by pests every year. Therefore, protecting crops from pests, animal intrusion, and over-irrigation is important not only within the boundaries of the field but also for activities beyond them.

The students explained that when someone needs to ask for help or send an important message, direct communication without intermediaries is more efficient, as messages can be altered by intermediaries, citing the 'Chinese Whisper' game as an example. In the real world, incorrect messages can have serious consequences, so obtaining direct information from a reliable source is best. AgriNova works on this very principle, where the field itself can inform the farmer about its requirements. Due to this facility, a farmer will receive updates about the condition of his field even while travelling and can take appropriate steps in time.