Bengaluru: Kuntavalli is a remote village in Tirthahalli village in Shivamogga district of Karnataka. Till recently it was a non-descript hamlet, but today, an arecanut grower’s son has given it an all new identity.
Meet Vishwanath Kuntavalli, a diploma engineer from this village, who has changed the way people look at farming. From farming technology to organic food products, his company V-tech is a big hit.
Areca nut is a labor-intensive crop. It requires a huge labour force right from planting the areca nut saplings to harvesting it. In the early 2000s, the Malnad region of the state witnessed a huge labor crisis. This forced many to quit areca nut farming. The idea behind V-Tech was to ease the difficulties faced by the areca growers and other cultivators.
Birth of V-Tech
“The areca bunches must be separated and areca nuts must be plucked within four days of getting bunches off the trees. If delayed, it will reduce the quality of the areca. Dearth of skilled manpower was a huge impediment then, and many growers were quitting areca cultivation and thinking over other crops. Onus of finding a solution for this problem was on the society in general and technical hands like me,” explains Kuntavalli Vishwanath about the initial days of his inventions.
Taking up this challenge, Vishwanath went on to make arecanut de-husking machine in 2001, when he was still studying Diploma in Mechanicals.
“This machine happened after five long years of dedication and perseverance. It was first of its kind. With the aim of serving the farmers, I established V-Tech Engineers Company in 2006. Through V-Tech Company, many farmer-friendly products were invented and brought into mainstream. V-Tech Company is well-known for areca nut bunch separator machines and always committed in process of inventing farmer-friendly machines,” he explains.
Catalyst of change
He changed the way in which farming, especially plantation activities are carried out in rural Karnataka through his innovative products. But he is now helping the farmers to get good prices for their agri products by venturing into the food processing and authentic food products from the Malnad region. His inventions have become a household name in Karnataka and other southern regions.
Even though his company is located in a remote village, he is able to ensure that his machineries are available across the country. From Assam to Tamilnadu and Kerala to Andaman, he has been able to expand his market and now he is eyeing overseas markets, including Sri Lanka and Indonesia where farmers are growing areca nut extensively.
His products include Areca De-husking Machine, Areca Nut Bunch Remover, Pepper Threshing Machine, Boiler Tank, Areca Nut Mat, Dumper, Earth Auger, Generator, etc.
Ibbani foods
In the year 2020, due to the Covid-19 induced lockdown, ash guard growers of Shivamogga were facing a lot of problems. Ash Guard grown in this region is transported to North Indian states to prepare Agra Petha, a popular sweet. However, due to Covid-19 there was no scope for transportation of ash guards. At this juncture, Vishwanath extended help to them by producing the Agra Petha locally. Now this product is sold across the country. This is how a company changed the lives of farmers. “I learned to prepare the Agra Petha through you tube. Later, we modified a few machines and started Agra Petha production,” says Vishwanath.
Ibbani food products of Vishwanath is engaged in food processing’s beside packed foods of highest quality. No chemicals are mixed here. But Vishwanath is providing jobs for many by helping them with the company’s franchises without any advance payments. Purity and irresistible flavour have made these products popular across Karnataka.
The company products include Masala, Herbal Powders, Pickles, Honey, Thambuli Powders, etc.
The Ibbani Food Company was launched in the year 2017, with the idea of helping the local farmers. But the goal of this brand is to scientifically grow the crops of Western Ghats and Malenadu and provide it with a stable support price focusing on the growth of farmers. Also, prepare traditional home-like food using latest advanced technology and providing healthier and tastier food products to the customers.
“We are encouraging farmers to grow crops using natural-farming methods aiding them with materials, facilities,” explains Vishwanath.
Today these products are made available across the state of Karnataka and pan India. Also, Vishwanath’s achievements are recognised with many awards and felicitations in many parts of the country. He is an inspiration to all the young engineers.
Achievements of Kuntavalli Vishwanath in the field of Agriculture
- Invented Arecanut Dehusking machine during college days itself. The unit was inaugurated by then Chief Minister Late S. Bangarappa.
- Achieved admirations as the Youngest Techie in agriculture field.
- Currently, his company is providing employment to around 60 literate and Illiterate young people especially from villages.
- He now launched a tipper fabrication unit.
