Agri-Tech Hackathon 2024

Uniting innovative thinkers nationwide to create groundbreaking solutions for the critical challenges in today's agricultural landscape.

About

The agriculture sector is at a crucial juncture, needing to adopt cutting-edge technology to address the challenges posed by a growing global population, climate change, and sustainability. An agri-tech hackathon is a vital event that brings together innovators—technologists, farmers, researchers, and entrepreneurs—to drive advancements in agriculture. By fostering collaboration, this hackathon aims to develop smart farming solutions and build resilient systems that improve food security, resource management, and environmental sustainability. Now is the time for the brightest minds to innovate and shape a more sustainable future for agriculture.

Timelines

August 2^nd
Registration
opens
August 30^th
Registration
closes
September 9^th
Preliminary results
announcement
October 1^st & 3^rd
Level 1: Virtual
Hackathon
October 12^th
Level 1: results
announcement
October 3^rd week
(tentative)
Level 2: Advanced
hackathon,final
judging & results

Details

Eligibility

Students and professionals from all backgrounds (technology, agriculture, business, etc.)
Startups
Researchers and academics
Anyone with a passion for Agri-tech innovation

Why participate?

Innovate: Develop and showcase your innovative solutions to real-world agricultural problems.
Collaborate: Work with like-minded individuals and mentors
Transform: Make a tangible impact on the agricultural sector and help shape the future of farming

Prizes

Cash Prizes
- 1^st prize: ₹10,000
- 2^nd prize: ₹6,000
- 3^rd prize: ₹4,000
Incubation Support for next 18 months with Networking Opportunities.
Seed funding facility for startups with viable solutions.

Guidelines

Registration is mandatory.
Each team can have up to 4 members, including the team leader.
Members from different branches of the same college/institute are encouraged to form a team.
The submission deadline for the video voice-over of your challenge solution and the PowerPoint presentation is August 17, 2024.
The video voice-over and PPT will be reviewed by the Preliminary Screening and Evaluation Committee.

Abstract submission details

Your solution should address at least one of the challenges announced during the launch of the Agri-Tech Hackathon, focusing on innovation, practicality, and technology.
Submit your solution details in the form of a video voice-over and a PPT presentation with a maximum of 15 slides.
File format: .ppt/.pptx only
Size: Maximum 9 MB
Duration of Video Voice-Over: Maximum 5 minutes

Additional Infromation

The shortlisted teams will be announced after the review of the video voice-over and PPT.
All communications will be sent through registered email id only.
Decisions of the organizing committee/jury will be the final in all rounds.
No argument or appeal will be entertained.
Participation certificates will be given only to candidates, who qualify in Level-2 Round.

Challenges Themes

1-Sodic Soil and Saline Water Management

Sodic and Saline soil reclamation solution - Phyto-assisted technologies / better Gypsum dissolution technology/ any other methodology
A cost-effective intervention for saline water usage for crop production in Tamil Nadu, optimal mixing of saline and fresh water to reduce EC and ESP in drip and fertigation system
A portable, user-friendly tool for rapid field-level diagnosis of soil sodicity and salinity using existing ion-selective membrane electrode / any other methodology to measure Exchangeable Sodium Percentage (ESP) levels
The life enhancement of the building construction under sodic soil
Salt extraction from Salicornia species abundantly available in the coastal ecosystem and to meet Indian consumer preference

2-Food Industry (Value added products/ Improvement in processing)

Develop a cost-effective Vinca rosea-based products (nano-emulsions, natural dyes, antimicrobial wound dressings, and anti-helminthic formulations)
Increase shelf life/ Value added products/edibles (Shallot onions/ Betel Vine/ Small millet flours/ Sugar cane juice/ Idly batter without refrigeration / Palmyra)
Millet based Parotta mix without adding additives/chemicals
Develop an automated plate grinder/pulveriser system that minimizes temperature increase and optimizes grinding efficiency through dynamic plate gap adjustment, ensuring high-quality small millet flour production
Cost effective cleaning/grading machines for Sesame
Rice based resistant starch products for mass consumption
Increase the stability and recovery rate of natural dyes for textile and food industry from fruit waste/ Forest litters/ TNEB pruning / monsoon tree breaks/ any specific crops

3-Farm Mechanization

Cost-effective farm level tools/Mimics to overcome Birds/Animal damages in the field
Robotic harvest for Tree crops (Coconut/ Palm)
Minimize tannin content while extracting coconut water from tender coconut upon opening to prevent astringency and preserve its natural taste and quality
Commercial farm level tools for harvesting flower in flower crops like Jasmine, Arali
Devices for easing emasculation and pollination in pulses, groundnut, small millets
Customized controls of Automated Hydroponics / Soil less media in Green houses
Hydrogen synthesis from biological wastes

4-Export industry related problems

Detection methods for pesticide, mycotoxins, metabolites in food (Eg., curcumin in Turmeric), to minimize contamination and ensure the safety of food processing units and marketing
Infestation control in all packed flour (non-chemical based)
Plant based fumigants / alternate to chemical fumigants (Aluminium phosphate, Methyl bromide) for pest management in warehouses
Quick detection system/ nano-stickers/ nano-sensors for pesticide residue/ product expiry/ for any specific consumers product selection in fruits and vegetables
Commercial IoT enabled system for real time monitoring and management of, Weevil in mango export and rodent management in godown warehouses

5-Issues to Resolve Challenges Faced by Differently Abled

Efficient and cost-effective scribe for organizing exams for vision/ partial vision students
Develop affordable, wearable assistive technologies, including FM systems and sound-detecting wearables, to enhance inclusivity and independence for individuals with hearing impairments
Design and develop adaptive farm tools and systems for farm and post-harvest operations to assist mobility-impaired individuals
Design and develop a cost-effective, customizable, and user-friendly system to assist individuals with mobility impairments in climbing stairs, adaptable for varying numbers of floors

6-Other Issues

Development of Credit rating score for Farmers Like CIBIL Score for PAN Card holders to get credit from commercial banks
Detection of availability of live cells from age-old trees to propagate and preserve Sthalaviruksha’s in temples
DNA extraction method/system from dried plant specimen
High throughput phenotyping using drones/AI technology

FAQ

How does it work?
During the Agritech Hackathon 2024 launch on August 2, 2024, specific problem statements will be provided. Teams or individuals of up to 4 people can apply. Once the problem statements are given, teams will have 15 days to submit their proposed solutions, which should include a proof of concept or prototype.
Selected participants will be invited to SASTRA Deemed University in Thanjavur for the boot camp (Level-2) event, tentatively planned for September 2024.
What is the deadline to register and submit solutions?
You need to register and submit solutions by August 17, 2024.
What is the participation fee?
There is no fee for students, research scholars, startups, or innovators.
Who can participate in this hackathon?
Undergraduate and postgraduate students, research scholars, startups, and innovators enrolled in affiliated institutes across India can participate. Please note that we will not reimburse any expenses.
What is the required team size?
Teams can have a maximum of 4 members.
What should I have?
All shortlisted participants need to bring their own laptops for the boot camp (Level-2 Round), which is tentatively planned for September 2024.
How do I contact the organizers for any queries?
For any queries, feel free to reach out to us at ablest@sastra.ac.in.

Our Partners