Hyderabad resident Kadavendi Mahipal Chary has developed an affordable farming machine that reduces labor costs and aids in field cultivation, earning him a national-level award for his innovative contribution to agriculture.

Kadavendi Mahipal Chary, who initially worked as a mechanic, developed expertise in repairing tractors over time. Despite owning two acres of land, he could not afford to buy or hire oxen for cultivation. In 2011, he began designing a mini-cultivator that could replace manual labor and the reliance on oxen for farming.

Kadavendi Mahipal Chary recalls, "In the early 2000s, my father transferred the land to me. I returned to my village and started farming but faced high labor costs. After spending thousands on wages and animal rent, there was no profit left. As a side business, I began repairing tractors and used some to work on my farm.

The 42-year-old Kadavendi Mahipal Chary started contemplating ways to overcome his farming challenges. He eventually decided to build his own cultivator to save money.

In 2011, I began trials using an old auto rickshaw engine, but the attempt failed. Later, I went to Hyderabad and purchased an engine made in China. When it worked well, I incorporated other parts using scrap materials and built a cultivator machine by the end of the year," he explains. This innovative approach helped Mahipal create a more affordable and efficient farming solution.

Kadavendi Mahipal Chary explains that his machine can run for three hours on just 1 liter of diesel, covering an area of 3 acres in that time. "Only one person is required to operate the device. Running the machine is simpler than riding a scooter. There is an accelerator in the left-hand grip, and it can be operated by placing both hands, like riding a two-wheeler," he adds.

Launches Varun Engineering Works

Kadavendi Mahipal Chary explains, "While other farmers spent up to Rs 1 lakh on rent and labor charges, I spent less than half of it to build this machine, which can be used repeatedly without further maintenance. As a result, I started receiving requests to build more, available for purchase." In 2012, he launched Varun Engineering Works, offering affordable cultivators and farming machines, with customization options based on individual farmer preferences.

Kadavendi Mahipal Chary innovation gained significant attention after being featured on a Telugu news channel. By that time, he had already sold over 13 machines. "I now have 12 employees, and my other innovations include a power weeder and a mini-tractor. The mini-tractor can be connected to a trolley and carry up to 1 tonne of weight. I also built a hydraulic lift that can lift up to 500 kg, which can be utilized in other industries as well," says the agripreneur.

Kadavendi Mahipal Chary shares, "The plight of farmers in India is one reason why I opted for this field. Like me, many of them are left battling poverty due to high labor costs and the unavailability of affordable machinery. I am on a mission to change this narrative." His venture, Varun Engineering Works, is located in his native area of Parkal, where he continues to support farmers with cost-effective farming solutions.

Kadavendi Mahipal Chary describes his machines as "affordable and user-friendly." He now assembles the machines using engines sourced from Kolhapur, along with materials and gears from Hyderabad. "Till date, more than 4,000 cultivators have been sold, priced between Rs 45,000 to Rs 55,000," he adds, highlighting the widespread adoption of his cost-effective farming solutions.

Viswesara, a farmer who purchased the cultivator machine two years ago, shares, “I am able to save at least Rs 50,000 every season with the help of this machine. Buying this was a one-time investment, and I havent done any maintenance till now. I handle the cultivator easily without anyones help, saving labor charges. I hope Mahipal comes up with more innovations to make our lives better.”

Currently, Mahipal is working on a mini tractor that runs on battery, stating, “Given the high price of petroleum products, it is better to shift to other alternatives.”

For his innovations, Mahipal was honored with the National Grassroots Innovation Award by the President of India in 2015 and the National Entrepreneurship Award in 2018. Reflecting on these accolades, he says, “Both of these were big honours, but what means the world to me is the farmer who struggles to make ends meet even after receiving a good harvest. I am glad that my machines are making their lives easier.”

Contact Varun Engineering Works on 9866922168. 

Edited by Gayathri