Suryapet innovator wins Forbes India award for tech-led farming tools
NALGONDA: Hailing from an agricultural family, 22-year-old Gorre Ashok from Anjalipuram village in Huzurnagar mandal, Suryapet district, has bagged the Forbes India Regional Award under the Tech-Led Social Innovation category for designing low-cost, farmer-friendly agricultural tools that make cultivation easier.
Ashok, who runs a small manufacturing unit named Rural Rise Agrinery Agri-solution in his village, has developed eight innovative devices aimed at reducing manual labour and improving efficiency in agriculture.
Multi-purpose machine for small farmers
Among his inventions, the ‘Agro Thaar’ stands out as a multipurpose vehicle used for spraying fertilisers, weeding, and transporting small loads. His seed sowing tool, which has received national recognition, enables a single farmer to sow seeds across two acres within a few hours. The device also covers the seeds automatically after they are dropped from the funnel, eliminating the need for manual handling of soil.
Crop-specific tools for multiple terrains
Another device, ‘Agromate’, assists in ploughing and gathering paddy grains and dry grass after harvest, and is adaptable for multiple crops such as cotton, chilli, paddy, and vegetables. His ‘DryLand Pro 52’ offers an efficient weeding solution for dry land with two-foot row spacing. Powered by a 52cc engine, it consumes just one litre of fuel per acre and completes the task in about 20 minutes.
Inspired by farmers’ struggles
Speaking to Reporter, Ashok said his inspiration came from witnessing farmers’ daily hardships.
“Many small farmers face acute labour shortages. While technologies like drones exist, they are often too expensive for rural areas. I wanted to build affordable, practical tools that improve productivity without heavy investment,” he said.
He added that one of his devices a solar-powered crop protection system emits sound to deter birds and wild animals.
“My seed sowing tool has already helped around 200 farmers in my community,” Ashok said.
