Engineering a Sustainable Battery Powered Shielded Sprayer on Vegetable Crops for Precision Agriculture

Abstract

This study tackles the challenges of pesticide drift and low mechanization in Indian smallholder agriculture by developing a battery-powered, shielded inter-row sprayer tailored for vegetable crops. Designed at CAET, AAU, Godhra, the sprayer was tested on chilly and cabbage crops under various nozzle types, forward speeds, and nozzle heights. The system comprises a DC motor-driven unit with lithium-ion batteries, a 40-liter tank, a 12V diaphragm pump, and an adjustable boom supporting shielded, interchangeable nozzles to minimize off-target drift. Laboratory analysis (as per IS standards) and ImageJ software were used to assess droplet size, density, and homogeneity factor (VMD, NMD, HF). Field trials over 54 plots measured performance indicators such as field capacity, efficiency, and economic viability. The sprayer significantly reduced drift, increased uniform deposition, and improved time and cost efficiency compared to traditional knapsack sprayers. The system demonstrated a high B:C ratio (3.13), making it an affordable and sustainable option for small and marginal farmers. Compared to a knapsack sprayer (₹626/ha), the developed unit cuts application costs (nearly by half). It covers 1 ha in 4.40 hours, whereas the knapsack sprayer requires 11.62 hours (2.5 times longer) highlighting superior time efficiency