A light, portable, plastic pump that can be operated with a foot is helping small and marginal farmers buck lack of power. What it needs is support from the government and NGOs so that it can reach more beneficiaries
When rains lashed parts of Nasik district of Maharashtra recently, Naren Bhinge played the Good Samaritan.
He swung into action distributing 20 plastic treadle pumps to people battling power failure and water-logging in their houses. But then these pumps are no ordinary machines. Bhinge designed them himself.
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Bhinge has been in the business of manufacturing and exporting micro-irrigation kits for a long time, but it was four years ago that he discovered that many of the treadle pumps that were being manufactured in India were made of metal, which made them heavy and difficult to operate. So he decided to try out plastic as an alternative to metal. His trick did wonders. Not only did the pumps become lighter, it also got easier to operate.
The pump, named Ecoflow, weighs just 12 kgs such that even a child can carry it to any place and by simple stepping action can pump up to 5000 liters of water from a depth of up to 7 meters to a height of up to 15 meters.
The pump's piston cylinder and manifold assembly is made up of reinforced plastic that makes it very smooth to operate and also gives a very long operating life. The pump has a metal frame structure to support the thermoplastic cylinder-piston manifold block assembly in the firm position. The use of special micro-irrigation kits for vegetable and horticulture plants further ensures the best yield with minimum water. There are various options available in plot sizes and plant types.
The hollow steel powder coated frame structure is designed in such a manner that the plastic molded assembly doesn’t require to be bolted or fixed. It is secured perfectly in place protected from mechanical strains.
According to Bhinge, a man weighing 60 kg can get suction up to 15 feet and delivery up to 45 feet. One can easily transfer water 2000- 5000 liters per hour depending upon the suction and delivery height.
| Quick Points |
| - Foot operated. Weighs 12 kgs and is easily portable - By simple stepping action, it can pump up to 5,000 liters of water from a depth of up to 7 meters and to a height of up to 15 meters - Pump's piston cylinder and manifold assembly is made in reinforced plastic - Zero operating cost - Costs Rs 2,500 |
There are some accessories that have been specifically designed for the pump. This includes the delivery pipe, suction pipe, foot valve, and mini-sprinkler systems.
The Business
Bhinge’s big day came in 2005 when the then President A P J Abdul Kalam visited a farm site in Maharashtra where the pumps supplied by Bhinge were being used. Bhinge, however, could not be present at the site but won accolades for his innovation. “Already, thousand of kits and Ecoflow pumps are in use with excellent response from the users all over the world to the extent that in some cases the same farmers directly came to buy these from us,” says Bhinge.
He sells the pumps, each priced at Rs 2,500, through his dealership network. He also exports to some countries in Africa, where his innovative technique helps hundreds of farmers.
“I sell at a very small margin. My motive is not big profit but the benefit of the small and marginal farmer,” he says.
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written by shankarnarayan, April 22, 2011
I am impressed by your innovation. Please let me know nearest delear in Belgaum or Hubli in karnataka or the contact information for the purchase.
With Best regards
Shankarnarayan
9448514566
written by shankarnarayan, April 22, 2011
I am impressed by the innovation. Please provide me the details of your network in Belgaum or Hubli in karnataka. for purchase.
Best regards
Shankarnarayan
9948514566
written by Narendra Talwalkar, March 05, 2011
Thank you.- Narendra From Ponda - Goa.
written by grandmother, February 17, 2011
Please send information on contact address and cost of this item. This is exactly what I have been looking for. Thank you
Grandmother
written by Parameswar, December 21, 2010
Regards,
Parameswar.
written by A Nawawy, September 04, 2010
we are officers and interested about your product foot water pump, please send detail product to me and your identity company (include contact number), thanks
written by khalid suliman, August 28, 2010
written by khalid suliman, August 28, 2010
written by Anil Kumar Gupta, August 18, 2010
We work for NGO,s
written by pappu, August 14, 2010
written by Nandkumar N Sanap, April 23, 2010
written by Dr. R.K. Jain, December 24, 2009
written by Siva, August 28, 2009
written by arvind vashisht, August 21, 2009
thanks
with regards
arvind vashisht
116, Ajit Nagar
haryan
m.no 9896936950
written by satish kole, July 18, 2009
i am in maharashtra dist.- kolhapur phone: 9371971698
written by Manjunath.Y, May 19, 2009
Please can kindly provide the details of this equipment were it is available.
written by Sudhir , March 13, 2009
Keep it up
written by Gowdaiah, March 13, 2009
Regards
Gowdaiah
9845207309
written by Sylvanus Nekenja, February 25, 2009
Reading and looking at what is displayed on your website, I believe your invention will be cost effective to smallholder of agricultural and other tropical farming associations of Sub Saharan Africa. Rice and maize farming in the Far North and North West regions in Cameroon would benefit from this affordable invention. My advice, is make your product known to this area of the world and to the sub region at large.
written by Pramod, February 24, 2009
I am interested in buying this; request someone to post the contact details where we can buy this equipment. Please mail me the details at dpramod19@gmail.com. I live in Bangalore.
Thanks and best regards,
Pramod
written by Karthik, February 10, 2009
I am truely impressed with your innovation. Also, for the humble price tag.
I am a small time farmer as well and have experienced the menace of power cuts.
Could you please provide me the details of your dealer network either in Bangalore or Tumkur for me to have a look at it and buy one for myself.
Best Regards,
Karthik
9945519497
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