Ravindra Dekate: BMH Started Wanting To Develop New Technology Wherever Required

BMH started wanting to develop new technology wherever required. As we researched agriculture wastage, the huge losses made us empathize with the situation & gave us an opportunity to invent.

We innovated Foldable Bulk Grain Handling Technologies with aim to reduce massive post-harvest grain losses.But we are aware that there are other areas, which also suffer from huge losses. And that’s why we aim to also work in areas of pulses, vegetables, and flowers

Tell us about yourself?

Spent 30+ years working in heavy industry as Mechanical Engineer, in various operation and technology departments.

The focus has always been on the development of bulk material handling systems. Innovated bulk grain storage system, with hopes to bring a revolution in not only grain, but agriculture and horticulture industry, by reducing various areas of losses.

If you could go back in time a year or two, what piece of advice would you give yourself?

Network more with the key shareholders in your field of work. It will lead to more opportunities, and will help you understand the industry better.

What problem does your business solve?

As mentioned earlier, we at BMH aim to reduce post harvest losses of all kinds – in the agriculture and horticulture areas. Our main developed technology is Foldable Bulk Grain Storage System.

It is a patented, portable foldable hermetic (airtight) storage system. It stores grain without any fumigation & can be moved to wherever required. For eg. at or near farms where there are most losses & no storages.

What is the inspiration behind your business?

We at BMH believe in the thought; a grain saved, is a grain produced. As the population is increasing, demand for food is also increasing.

According to studies, rate at which food is produced, it doesn’t meet population needs, and won’t in future, if this system remains. We want to reduce food losses at the grass root level, and improve its quality and shelf life.

What is your magic sauce?

Our magic lies in the fact that, there is no service like ours. We have indirect competition with traditional systems, silos &godowns as they are traditionally used for storage.

We have the advantage of being portable, as it can be moved to on spot locations, whereas traditional storage can’t.

What is the plan for the next 5 years? What do you want to achieve?

As mentioned earlier that not just grain losses, but we want to work in reducing all kinds of losses in agriculture and horticulture field. Our plan for the coming years, is to research other areas of losses and start many pilot projects.

One of the projects we are working on currently, is an onion storage. We also have cool storages in the pipeline for flowers, fruits and vegetables. We hope to make significant progress in these, and develop the systems.

What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced so far?

The area which BMH is trying to focus into, is a big one. Looking into saving grains and food, makes this a mega project. If all fields are dealt with, a lot of food staples and produce can be saved from landfill.

When we bring farmers into the scenario, governments are also involved in the process. The challenges we have faced mostly, are talking with governments and its shareholders, and making them understand the importance of our technology.

Over decades, staple storage systems have been used, and to the change the mindset in order to use a new tech storage system takes a lot of effort.

How do people get involved/buy into your vision?

Since our vision is huge by its nature. The way people can get involved is by believing in our thought of, a grain saved is a grain produced. If every human being, dedicates some of their time in learning about food wastage and taking one step everyday to not waste food – it will bring a huge revolution.