Avinash Desai, a techie-turned-farmer from Belagavi, has bagged the first prize in the DYNASTAR-2 innovation competition organised by TAFE (Tractors and Farm Equipment Limited) for his concept of a mobile slurry de-watering machine powered by a Massey Ferguson tractor. His win came with a brand-new MF 254 DYNASMART 2WD tractor worth around ₹8.2 lakh.
The second prize went to Prateek Agarwal of Hojai, Assam, for his solar-powered sustainable energy hub idea, earning him an 8-gram gold coin. In contrast, the third prize was awarded to Amrit Jot Singh from Patiala, Punjab, for designing a water purification unit powered by the MF DYNATRACK 241, also winning an 8-gram gold coin.
The competition’s second edition drew over 16,000 entries from 26 States and 5 Union Territories. After screening, 12 finalists from seven States were shortlisted and judged on innovation, feasibility, scalability, income potential, and societal impact by a jury from sales, marketing, operations, and product management.
The Jury’s Choice Award went to retired IAS officer Jayakumar Karuppusamy from Assam for creating a multi-purpose farm machine, winning a 50-gram silver coin.
In the Institutional Category, the Agricultural Engineering College and Research Institute of Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Kumulur, took first prize for an 8-row tractor-mounted transplanter. Bannari Amman Institute of Technology, Erode, secured second place for an automated multi-vegetable transplanter, both designed for MF tractors.
Winners in the student category were also offered internship opportunities at TAFE.
