After 14 years, mechanical engineer Tukaram Sonvane and his industrial engineer wife Sonali Veljali returned to their ancestral village, Andarsul. Witnessing the struggles of local farmers firsthand, they invented a unique device — the Electric Bull — that helps small farmers by making agricultural work easier, affordable, and more efficient.
Lockdown Inspired Innovation
During the nationwide COVID-19 lockdown, many people returned to their villages. Tukaram and Sonali, both working in Pune as engineers, also came back to their village for the first extended period in 14 years.
While staying there, Tukaram observed the persistent challenges farmers faced. Despite advancements, small farmers were still dependent on animals and manual labor for many farming tasks. Modern machinery was either unaffordable or unsuitable for their needs, resulting in high costs and delayed farming activities.
Understanding the Farmers’ Challenges
Tukaram noticed that farmers relied heavily on bulls and laborers for plowing, sowing, and spraying pesticides. However, the number of bulls was declining due to high maintenance costs, and hired labor was expensive and unreliable.
Sonali also observed how these inefficiencies were increasing production costs and affecting the quality of harvests.
Tukaram explains, “Farmers face difficulties in completing tasks on time because of reliance on animals and labor. This impacts crop quality and their income.”
Together, they decided to develop a cost-effective, electric-powered tool that could perform multiple tasks traditionally done by bulls — and thus, the idea of the Electric Bull was born.
What is the Electric Bull and How Does it Work?
Using their engineering skills, Tukaram designed the Electric Bull during the lockdown with parts sourced from outside and local fabrication support.
The Electric Bull is a compact, electric-powered device that can be used for plowing, sowing seeds, pesticide spraying, trimming, and other farm tasks. It runs on a rechargeable battery that lasts up to 4 hours per charge, with a full charge taking just about 2 hours from a single-phase electrical connection available in rural homes.
Tukaram says, “Tasks such as seed sowing and pesticide spraying require precision, which bulls cannot provide. Our Electric Bull can perform these tasks efficiently and at a fraction of the cost.”
Benefits for Farmers
Traditionally, managing 2 acres of farmland could cost a farmer nearly ₹50,000 due to labor and animal expenses. With the Electric Bull, the cost reduces dramatically to just ₹5,000, a tenfold decrease.
Farmer Subhash Chavan from Ahmednagar district shared, “Earlier, I needed 12 laborers and 3 days to finish the work. Now, it takes only a few hours and is much cheaper.”
This device is especially beneficial for small and marginal farmers who cannot afford tractors or large machines.
Growing Demand and Future Plans
Tukaram and Sonali have established a startup named Krishigati Private Limited to manufacture and promote the Electric Bull. Interest is growing rapidly from Maharashtra and other states such as Andhra Pradesh.
So far, they have received over 300 inquiries and booked more than 10 units. They are also in talks with seven dealers to expand distribution.
Sonali shares, “We are developing six more devices to meet varied farming needs. Our vision is to help farmers not just in India but across the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and Europe.”
Commitment to Farmers and Innovation
Both engineers are deeply connected to farming communities through family and personal experiences. Sonali says, “We understand farmers’ pain points closely. The lockdown gave us an opportunity to innovate and contribute meaningfully.”
They believe engineering can solve agricultural problems and are dedicated to improving the livelihoods of farmers through smart technology.
Conclusion
The Electric Bull invented by Tukaram Sonvane and Sonali Veljali represents a significant breakthrough for Indian agriculture. By providing an affordable, eco-friendly, and efficient alternative to traditional bulls and expensive machines, this device empowers small farmers to boost productivity and reduce costs.
Innovations like these can transform farming and help India achieve sustainable agricultural growth.
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