Innovative green idea makes Mumbai lad a ‘UN envoy’

Armed with an innovative idea, 23-year-old Swapnil Kokate from Matunga was one of two Indians chosen to be a UN envoy to Germany to study green economy. Kokate, who was one among 50 youngsters chosen from 19 countries, bagged a spot with his electricity-free egg incubator (EFEI), which can be used by Indian farmers who are troubled by frequent power cuts.

A polymer engineering student of the Institute of Chemical Technology, Matunga, Kokate said that he was inspired to design the incubator after talking to a friend’s father, a poultry farmer, who complained about power cuts.

"Nearly 75% hatcheries in India are located in rural areas which see power cuts for 6 to 8hrs every day. So the success rate of hatching is reduced to less than 50%. EFEI was specially designed for rural areas. It is cheaper than traditional incubators and has a low operating cost,’’ he said.

The incubator consists of a highly insulated box in which standard temperature and humidity is maintained for 21 days. Kokate has applied for a patent for his innovative concept. As it doesn’t require electricity, the operating cost is reduced to 20% which is only Rs500 for 21 days. It costs only Rs25,000 for hatching 400 eggs, which is eight times less than conventional electric incubators.

Like Kokate, Gaurav Maheshwari, 21, a chemical engineering student from the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi was also chosen as a envoy. He created a decentralised waste-water treatment facility that uses phycoremediation – an algal treatment of water that improves its quality. The end biomass product can be used as a fertiliser and to derive bio-fuels.

Nearly 600 young people have visited Germany since 1998 as part of the Bayer Young Environmental Envoy Programme in partnership with the UN Environment Programme. Patrick Thomas, chairman of the board of management of Bayer Material Science said, "Through this programme, we have created an international network where people can exchange ideas. The commitment shown by the young generation and their creative ideas to tackle challenges like climate change and energy efficiency are exemplary.’’