Enhancing efficiency in Panchagavya Preparation: Development and evaluation of a Crank-Operated mixer for small and marginal farmers

Abstract

The historical use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides has significantly boosted crop yields but at the cost of soil health and human safety. This study aims to revive the use of panchagavya, a traditional Indian organic fertilizer made from cow products, which has proven benefits for soil enrichment and crop health. Panchagavya’s manual preparation, although effective, is labor intensive and time consuming. This research focuses on the design and development of a crank operated panchagavya mixer to optimize the mixing process. Conducted at Vignan’s Foundation for Science, Technology and Research, the study introduces a mixer with a capacity of 30 liters, reducing mixing time and physical effort. The new mixer, incorporating a crank mechanism, was tested in bapatla, Andhra Pradesh, demonstrating significant improvements in efficiency and consistency over traditional methods. The mixer design is detailed, including power calculations and mechanical design of the crank and cylindrical tank. The results indicate that the crank mechanism reduces mixing time from 10 days to 5-6 days, making it a viable option for small and marginal farmers.