Teen puts groundnut shells to good use
Hyderabad: While there is no right age to be an entrepreneur, A Srija, a native of Chintalakunta village in Jogulamba Gadwal, proved that being in school is no hindrance at all to start an enterprise. At 14, she has a company named Srija Green Galaxy that is set to make biodegradable pots to replace black, […]
Hyderabad: While there is no right age to be an entrepreneur, A Srija, a native of Chintalakunta village in Jogulamba Gadwal, proved that being in school is no hindrance at all to start an enterprise. At 14, she has a company named Srija Green Galaxy that is set to make biodegradable pots to replace black, single-use plastic bags used by nurseries.
While it is her idea to use groundnut shells and naturally available binding agents to make the pots, a helping hand from State government’s TS Innovation Cell (TSIC) and the prototyping facility T-Works ensured that the process is automated with a custom-built bio-press machine. With GE Appliances, a Haier company, loosening its CSR purse strings, she got a set of grinding machines with which she can start a micro enterprise back home.
How did the idea take shape
“My friend and I were readying the ground for planting saplings last year. While doing so, we stumbled on a biodegradable black plastic bag. That led me to think about the alternatives available. Since groundnut is grown abundantly in our district, I toyed with the idea of using its shells to make pots. This will address two issues — the shells that are an agri-waste will find a new use and there will be no need to use plastic bags,” says Srija, dressed in a blue and white uniform of Zilla Parishad High School in her village.
She discussed the idea with her guide Augustine, who teaches math at her school. Soon, she showcased the idea at the ‘Intinta Innovator’ programme, a flagship initiative of the TSIC to encourage grassroots level innovations. She got selected at the State level competition and the TSIC worked with T-Works, which created the custom-built machine.
“I used to make about 10 pots per day. But this machine will help me make about 200 pots per day. We have only made the dry runs so far. The economics and expenses have to be worked out,” she says. The entire setup will be installed in her village. “I want to provide employment to women from my village,” says Srija, who wants to focus on studies now. Her mentor will guide on the future business steps. An application seeking a patent on the biodegradable pots has already been filed.
“We want to supply the pots to the State’s flagship Haritha Haram programme. The pots are strong enough to withstand the sun, rain and the weight of the plant. They will biodegrade when they break or wilt over time,” she says adding that they would also be available in multiple sales channels including online.
Srija’s parents Meenakshi and Sayanna, both farmers, are supportive of her idea. “My mother asks me to do things that I am interested in. My father even takes care of the small nursery I am growing,” she says also mentioning about the support she is getting from siblings Monika, Ashwini and Shiva. She is aware of the farming practices as her parents cultivate paddy, groundnut and cotton.
“After developing a mechanism to mass produce the pots, we are now moving a step closer to setting up an industry based on this idea. GE Appliances is supporting with the machines. T-Works will continue to collaborate with corporations, grassroots innovators and ecosystem partners to translate innovation into impact,” says Sujai Karampuri, T-Works CEO.
