Mr. Vikrant Katekar will present his APS as per the detail below:
Date: 9th February 2023
Time: 1430 - 1600 hrs.
Venue: CTARA Seminar Room No. 1
Title of work: An Investigation of a solar distillation system for rural income generation
Supervisor(s): 1. Dr. Anand B. Rao, 2. Dr. Vishal R. Sardeshpande
RPC members(s): 1. Dr. Sanjay Mahajani, 2. Dr. Bakul Rao
Abstract:
Most small and marginal farmers' principal sources of income are agriculture, livestock, and labour. These activities, however, do not meet daily demands. As a result, they need additional revenue to survive. Farmers, in this view, may participate in non-agricultural activities in addition to their agricultural work. This report presents a small, sustainable business model for rural livelihoods. From the study, it has been found that Rosewater, Neem water, Tulsi water, and Mogra water are popular in cosmetics and medicines. Cow urine extract is another health remedy for many diseases. Rosewater and Mogra water markets grow with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.9% and 5.3%, respectively. With 17.4% CAGR, the Neem extract market is also rising. It illustrates that these products are market demanding. The present study reveals that solar distillation is easily used to make these products. It is a cost-effective alternative, environment-friendly technology for rural areas for their livelihoods. Rose farmers report 10% daily flower waste. Rosewater extraction is simple with these waste flowers using a solar distiller. 3 kg of rose petals needs 1.5 m2 solar distiller surface area to make Rosewater from it. A 1.5-m2 solar distiller costs Rs. 33,000 to manufacture. An optimum rosewater extraction ratio is estimated to be 1:3. A 12 kg water-petals combination in the distiller tank yields 8.8 kg of rosewater. It is 73.3% of the total mass of the mixture. The produced rosewater has a pH of 6, making it ideal for skin care and cosmetics. Another excellent skin treatment quality is that produced rosewater is non-sticky, non-itchy, and quickly absorbed into the skin. Rose petal jam, scrub, dhoop sticks and powder may be made from the extracted petals. These products are also popular in the domestic market. Economic analysis of produced Rosewater shows that a 100 ml bottle costs Rs. 19, substantially less than commercial rosewater. Farmers would earn 3.5 Lakhs from 10% daily waste flowers per acre at Rs. 50 per 100 ml rosewater selling price. A uniquely designed glass-mirror solar distiller makes cow urine extract easily. The produced cow urine extract is clear and smells mild, so that it may be drunk easily. Cow shelters may have over 100 cows. Manufacturing solely Cow urine extract is not appropriate for Cow shelters. Since surface disinfectant is a popular residential product (CAGR for surface disinfectant is 9.8%), it is beneficial for Cow shelters to make surface disinfectant using cow urine extract. This report also demonstrates the process of manufacturing surface disinfectant using cow urine extract. Thus, cow shelter organisations may earn sufficient money to run Cow shelters by making and selling surface disinfectants using cow urine extract.