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AI Farm Guard 

To develop a cost-effective, solar/ wind-powered AI-based scarecrow that protects crops from birds and wild animals using real-time detection and deterrence.
This contest encourages innovative thinking
that combines Agriculture, Robotics, and Artificial Intelligence to protect crops more effectively and sustainably.

Think. Design. Innovate. Protect

Who can participate?

Individuals or Teams can participate
(max 5 members)

Team members can come from any vocations

Registration fees

Rs. 500/-

Design Brief

Budget 

Project expenses capped to Rs. 25 thousand

Materials

Eco-friendly & Lightweight, use biodegradable or recyclable materials wherever possible

Security & Durability

Weather Resistant, Rugged Construction with stable base, Animal-safe (Non-lethal deterrence only) 

Cost Estimate

Costing for material, manpower & services

Coverage Radius

Minimum effective range of 10–30 meters.

AI Vision/Detection

Use camera(s) or sensor systems (IR, motion, sound) to identify birds or animal intrusions.

Power Source

Solar-powered (off-grid compatibility) or Manual charging port (USB/AC) or hybrid power option.

Alert System

Real-time alerts to farmers (SMS/app notification)

Design Brief

Detection & Classification

  • ​Use AI-powered cameras to detect and differentiate between birds (e.g., parrots, crows), animals (e.g., wild boars, monkeys), and humans.
     
  • Operate effectively in rural outdoor conditions day/night, dust, varying weather.

Ease of Use

  • Plug-and-play installation
     
  • Durable and low-maintenance
     
  • Language-agnostic or multilingual prompts for rural users

Power Supply

Solar-powered with battery backup for off-grid use

Coverage Radius

  • Sound (animal distress calls, loud alarms, recorded human voices) To deter birds, sound waves can be used to create an unpleasant or disorienting experience.
     
  • Light (strobe or flashing)
     
  • Motion (moving dummy or rotating arms)

AI Vision/Detection

  • GSM or LoRa-based alerts to farmer’s phones.
    ​
  • App or SMS interface for remote control or reports

Cost Constraints

Target price under ₹25,000 for smallholder farmers. Cheaper is better

Design Brief

Shelf-Life Extension

Use of breathable films, ethylene absorbers, or natural antimicrobial coatings to delay
ripening and spoilage

Design & Usability

​Suitable for 0.5 to 2 kg. Easy to assemble/fold and reuse/recycle. Space for branding

Eco-friendly Materials

Compostable, recyclable, or biodegradable materials to align with sustainability goals

 Budget & Cost Guidelines

Cost - Rs.10 to 15 per pack for smaller batches and Rs.40 to 50 for bigger packs. Affordable for small farmers and scalable across rural areas
 

Freshness Monitoring

  • Embedded freshness indicators (color-changing strips or biosensors) to show spoilage or temperature exposure 
​
  • Optional: RFID/NFC-enabled data logging for B2B supply chains

Modular & Scalable

  • Suitable for single-fruit units (e.g., mango, pomegranate) and bulk crates (e.g., tomatoes, leafy greens)​
​
  • App or SMS interface for remote control or reports

Rural Friendly Design

  • Robust to handle transport via tempo, tractor, or headload
     
  • Simple visual indicators

Target Users

Smallholder farmers, FPOs, and agri-startups involved in short and mid-range supply chains

Use Case Scenarios

  • Farm-to-mandi transport

​

  • Farm-to-consumer models

​

  • E-commerce/retail supply chains

Design Brief

Structure & Mobility

  • 3 or 4-wheel manually pulled or e-bike attachable cart
     
  • Shock-absorbing wheels suitable for rural and semi-urban roads
     
  • Easy to push/pull with minimal effort

Hygiene & Freshness

  • Washable trays, ventilated crates
​
  • Waste bin or water drainage for cleaning/waste

Aesthetics & Materials

  • Use of eco-friendly, lightweight materials (metal frame, bamboo/wooden detailing, food-grade plastic)
     
  • Vibrant, rural-themed design for street appeal

Target Users

Individual farmers or FPOs selling fruits like mangoes, bananas, guavas, or watermelons in rural and urban peripheries

Display & Storage

  • Multiple levels or compartments to display different fruits
​
  • Covered shade (retractable) to protect from sun/rain
​
  • Storage drawers or insulated boxes for extra stock or sensitive fruits

Smart Features (Optional)

  • Solar panel for powering a small fan/light
​
  • Digital weighing scale, QR payment support (UPI)
​
  • Branding panel with farmer's name/FPO logo

Ergonomics & Safety

  • Canopy height and shelf angles optimized for both farmer and buyer
​
  • Reflectors for night visibility; lockable wheels for slopes

Use Case Locations

Village roads, town markets, urban neighborhoods, highway junctions, school/college vicinities

Success Metrics

  • Must carry up to 150–200 kg of produce
​
  • Setup cost under ₹ 20,000
​
  • Support at least 6–8 hours of operation per day
​
  • Promote direct farmer-consumer contact

Design Brief

Material & Weather Resistance

  • Breathable, lightweight fabric for summer
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  • Water-resistant or quick-dry outer layer for monsoons
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  • Optional inner liner for mild winter insulation
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  • Dust and stain-resistant coating

Comfort & Fit

  • Available in multiple sizes (S–XXL)
​
  • Side vents or mesh lining for airflow
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  • Light padding on shoulders for load support (carrying bags or baskets)

​Identity & Branding (Optional)

  • Space for FPO/cooperative logo or embroidered name tag
​
  • Flag patch or motivational slogan print (e.g., “Proud to Farm”)

Target Users

Small and marginal farmers, field officers, agri-entrepreneurs across India

Utility & Storage

  • Multiple secure, accessible pockets for storing tools, mobile, seeds, etc. Lightweight, easy to wear
​
  • Hidden or inner safety pocket for valuables.​​

Safety & Visibility

  • Reflective strips for early morning/evening work.
​
  • High-contrast trims or colors (khaki, green, or indigo blue)​

Sustainability

  • Use of durable, recyclable fabric
​
  • Local production to support rural employment

Success Metrics

  • Cost-effective (Target price: ₹400–₹700)
​
  • Washable, minimum 12-month durability
​
  • Widely accepted by farmers across 5–6 states.

Design Brief

Target Audience

  • Health-conscious urban families
​
  • Institutional buyers (cafés, hotels, stores)
​
  • Corporates for gifting/farm boxes​

Brand Name & Tagline

Easy to recall, rooted in agriculture, and scalable for multiple products

Packaging Design

  • Flexible for various SKUs (grains, vegetables, spices, fruits)
​
  • Pouch, jar, crate, or box—show at least one mockup
​
  • Encourage eco-conscious material

Online Presence

  • Website or microsite for product info, origin stories, farmer highlights
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  • Social Media Creatives (at least 2 promotional posts)​​

Brand Positioning

Freshness, transparency, rural pride, farmer-first approach

Logo & Visual Identity

  • Earthy, clean, and friendly
​
  • Symbols: leaf, soil, sunrise, grain, etc
​
  • Style: Rural authenticity with modern simplicity

Brand Voice & Tone

  • Honest, grounded, warm, and reassuring
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  • Communicates value without exaggeration
  •  
  • Brand Color Palette & Typography

Scope of Produce

  • Seasonal fruits & vegetables
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  • Grains, pulses, spices
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  • Processed items (ghee, pickles, jaggery etc.)

Design Brief

Form Factor & Location Suitability

Hive Design

  • Compact design suitable for backyards, terraces, or courtyards
​
  • Wall-mounted or stand-based options for flexibility​​
  • Ventilated but rain- and predator-resistant structure
     
  • Transparent viewing panel (optional) for education/observation

Material & Durability

  • Locally sourced, termite-resistant wood or recycled plastic
     
  • Weatherproof, UV-resistant paint or coating
     
  • Lifespan of at least 5 years with minimal maintenance

Packaging Design

  • Flexible for various SKUs (grains, vegetables, spices, fruits)
​
  • Pouch, jar, crate, or box—show at least one mockup
​
  • Encourage eco-conscious material

Farmer-Friendly Features

  • Simple to inspect and harvest without harming bees
​
  • Smoke chamber or bee-calming mechanism built-in
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  • Manual or semi-auto honey drain system for beginners

Brand Voice & Tone

  • Honest, grounded, warm, and reassuring
​
  • Communicates value without exaggeration
​
  • Brand Color Palette & Typography

Safety & Awareness

  • Designed to minimize risk of stings
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  • Basic instruction stickers or guides in local language (Marathi/Hindi)
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  • Detachable cover to prevent tampering by children or animals​​

Sustainability & Impact

  • Encourages biodiversity and supports crop pollination
​
  • Scalable for self-help groups or FPO-led honey initiatives

Target Users

Rural households, small farmers, women’s SHGs, and youth in farming families​​​

Use Case Scenarios

  • Home-based honey production for self-use or local sale
​
  • Educational use by rural schools or farm demo units
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  • Crop pollination support in adjacent farms/gardens

Success Metrics

  • Initial cost under ₹2,500 per unit

  •  

  • Easy to install and operate without expert intervention

  • ​

  • Generates 4–6 kg of honey per season per unit

Design Brief

Mood & Emotion

  • Hopeful, grounded, and inspiring
​
  • Should evoke pride in farming and connection to nature

Musical Style

  • Blend of Indian folk and light instrumental
​
  • Human sounds can be used without lyrics (Humming, Aalap or sounds made to connect with Farm animals)
​
  • Use of rural instruments

Usage Scenarios

  • KISAN events and exhibitions
​
  • App/website intro or notifications
  •  
  • Audio branding on rural FM, IVR, or videos

Sound Elements (Ambient/FX)

  • Early morning rooster crow
  • Cow bells, goat bleats
  • Bullock cart wheels creaking
  • Sickle cutting crops
  • Rustle of leaves or crops in breeze
  • Water pump or canal flow
  • Distant temple bell or folk drum

Length & Versions

  • 30-second signature tune (main version)
​
  • 10-second and 5-second stingers
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  • Loopable version for use in background (e.g., website or kiosk)

Success Metrics

  • Recognizable in the first few seconds
​
  • Feels authentic to farmers and rural audiences
​
  • Works well across platforms (FM, mobile, loudspeakers)

Design Brief

Target Audience

  • Primary: Young and eligible farmers (male/female) looking for life partners within or outside the farming community​
​
  • Secondary: Urban individuals who are open to rural living, organic farming, or farm-based entrepreneurship

Preference Matchmaking

  • Filters for farming interests, and long-term goals
​
  • Compatibility score based on lifestyle alignment, not just looks or earnings

Trust & Safety

  • Aadhaar/mobile/email verification
​
  • Profile moderation and reporting system
  •  
  • Women-centric safety measures (e.g., blurred photo preview until matched)

Engagement Features

  • Chat and video call (post-match)
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  • “Farm Diary” section – where users can post about their farm, daily life, or values

Design & UX Considerations

Simple, intuitive layout. Regional Indian language support. Easy to use for low-literacy users. Prefer rooted tone not flashy dating culture​

Profile Creation

  • Basic biodata (age, caste, religion – optional)
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  • Farm details: landholding, crops, location, type of farming
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  • Intent: marriage/dating/friendship
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  • Willingness to relocate or continue farming

Two-Sided Access

  • Farmers can connect with all
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  • Non-farmers can only connect with registered farmers. (Platform logic)
​
  • Option for rural women to control visibility and reach-out privileges

Language & Accessibility

  • Interface in English, Hindi, and major regional languages
  •  
  • Voice-based onboarding for digitally low-literate users

Design Aesthetic

  • Warm, earthy palette with rural motifs
​
  • Clean, intuitive layout that works well on basic smartphones
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  • Offline enrollment option for digitally shy users (via NGOs or Krishi Kendras)

Connectivity & Compatibility

Works on low-bandwidth networks. Works on basic smartphones. Lightweight app size

Organized by

Government of Maharashtra

 Joint Organiser

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Maharashtra State Agriculture Dept.

Knowledge Partner

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Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth

Knowledge Partners

Outreach Partner

Incubation Partner

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Bombay Chamber of Commerce

Mahratta Chamber of Commerce,
Industries and Agriculture

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Institution of Maharashtra Agricultural Technologists

The Alumni Association, College of Agriculture, Pune

DIPEX-
Centre For
Entrepreneurship
Development

Microsoft

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Inter Institutional Inclusive Innovations Center (i4C)

Nature Growth

Digital Connect Partner

Contact - 

97621 98555
77680 93644
94232 95619

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