I have started a commercial pilot project on iAVs in India in half acre land. I have taken the detailed Aquaponics course but decided to go for iAVs as after the pilot is successful, I will extend it to interested farmers here and for this I felt iAVs is better suited than Aquaponics. I am in the process of putting the infrastructure in place for the farm like road, power, accommodation etc which is a herculean job.
On top of it due to rainy season and family medical/personal issues the work has slowed down…but I will make it happen soon the target is by 2025 I should be producing, consuming and selling.
Since it was a paddy field with soft soil I had to fill the entire area 3ft with laterite soil for stability.
I have done some local market research. It appears without any exception that people do want to have pure food without synthetic chemicals but it is a rare commodity, so huge market is there.
After review of some 100 ideas, I found iAVs most interesting & fit for purpose to me and doable.
I am now fully focused in having my iAVs farm up and running. Now I am negotiating with power company to get the best deal and it appears that I will succeed soon. I have built the fencing mounted with concertina wire for security, gates, dug a borewell for groundwater and reinforced part of the existing road (400m) so that is motorable in heavy rains also. Please see other details below:
- Obtain conventional grid power. Negotiations on to get the best deal. Transformer substation will be inside the farm.
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Later solar panels will be installed on bunkhouse, Kitchen, Garage roofs for the iAVs part only for the day time only to avoid batteries.
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Installation of electrical submersible pump in borewell for ground water.
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Install ready to use bunkhouses inside for staff, office and store, build a kitchen, wash bay, garage and power (generator, compressor) shed. Vendors selected for bunkhouses and for precast concrete kitchen & garage for plumbing, electrical and civil works.
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Construction of inside road for vehicles and reinforcement remaining part of the outside access road (300m).
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The total area is 19225 sq.ft. out of which around 15000 sq.ft will be available for iAVs.
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Collection of rain water from Bunkhouse top & Greenhouse in underground tanks and used mainly for iAVs in due course instead of ground water.
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Greenhouse will be there but there are many . Since this cyclone prone area I have look for wind resistant one. Selection of correct design of greenhouse is very important. Vendor selection is pending. I have to do some research on this subject which is best for me.
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I want to start a small pilot of 2000 sq.ft with 1000L fish tanks and matching sand beds. Once I get the feel of it then the greenhouse will be expanded to rest 13000 sq.ft.
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Recruitment of permanent staff is on my mind but now I am outsourcing all construction and farm building works and labour as required.
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Land acquisition
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Type of fencing and gates
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Soil filling
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Road Building
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Conventional Grid Power
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Borewell
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Farmers position in my area
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Climate
Do you think the above will be of interest to others?
The real info will come once I start the green house, sand beds etc. So Once I am done with the pilot design (phase 1) I can share that.