Farm Mechanization is bringing immense benefits to the agricultural sector by enhancing the productivity of Indian farmers through new technologies.

Akash Borse, our next pathbreaker, works as Manager- R&D at KVH Agro Tech Pvt Ltd (Pune), a company that manufactures Agricultural and Tractor operated Implements such as Cultivators, Seed Drills, Ridgers, Trailers, Potato Planters etc.

Akash talks to Shyam Krishnamurthy from The Interview Portal about choosing agricultural engineering as a career in order to do something different.

For students, core engineering principles are driving several innovations in agriculture that benefit the society as a whole !

Akash, can you tell us about your background?

I was born in a small town (Kolpewadi, TQ: – Kopargaon) which is situated in Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra. My village is famous for being the native place of Shirdi (Shri. Sai Baba). My district is also famous for Asia’s first Sugar Factory. There are two big sugar factories in my Tahasil (Taluka). I have always loved to live in my village because I was born & grew up in that village. But unfortunately, because of career & personal growth I shifted to another place for my career.

My father was a teacher & writer and my mother is a homemaker. I have an interest in writing which I inherited from my father. I have written an English Primer book for Primary school (1st to 4th Std) which is published under “ONKAR BORSE PUBLICATION “

What did you do for graduation/post graduation? 

I got admission in a private college of Agricultural Engineering in Maharashtra. This college is affiliated with the MAHATMA PHULE KRISHI VIDYAPEETH, RAHURI, MAHARASHTRA (MPKV). Slowly I understood that Agricultural Engineering is a combination of Agriculture, Mechanical, Civil, Electrical related subjects. In agricultural engineering, there are six core departments i.e., Farm Machinery & Power (FMP), Soil & Water Conservation Engineering (SWCE), Irrigation & Drainage Engineering (IDE), Agricultural Processing Engineering (APE), Electrical & Other Energy Sources (EOES) and Farm Structure (FS). On an average, there are 11 subjects in every semester.

What made you choose such an offbeat, unconventional and cool career?

I pursued my education (upto 12th) in my village. After completing my 12th in science stream, I wanted to pursue any stream except Engineering or Medical because most students want to do this (they follow their college seniors, but I did not want to do this). That’s why I chose B.Tech Agricultural Engineering even though I do not belong to an agricultural family. I don’t have any single guntha of farmland nor do I have any knowledge regarding agriculture. Frankly, I didn’t even know what subjects were in my course (Agricultural Engineering). I didn’t have any information regarding this course before my admission. 

Tell us about your career path

For Agricultural Engineering, there are mandatory courses of academic training which should be completed after the 4th semester (for a duration of 1 month), after the 6th semester (for 1 month) & last i.e., 8th semester (for 4 months). I completed my first training (i.e., after 4th semester) in Popular Steel Works, Kolhapur, Maharashtra (PSW) which is especially famous for manufacturing reversible MB Ploughs ( is a specially designed agricultural implement used for turning the soil levels upside down). My second training (i.e., after the 6th month) was in Central Farm Machinery Training & Testing Institute, Budni, Madhya Pradesh (CFMTTI) in Tractor & Agriculture Implements Testing. My last training (i.e., 8th semester) was in Watershed Organization Trust, Ahmednagar, Maharashtra (WOTR) which is an NGO.

I had completed one year of Graduate Apprenticeship at the SOUTHERN REGION FARM MACHINERY TRAINING AND TESTING INSTITUTE, ANANTAPUR, ANDHRAPRADESH, which is an undertaking of the Govt. of India, and an authorized testing center for Agriculture Implements, Power Tiller, Power Weeder, Brush Cutter, Chain saw. 

During my apprenticeship, I assisted in tests of various implements such as Power tiller, Power Weeder, Power Reaper, Reaper cum Binder, Seed Drill calibration, Subsoiler, Post hole digger and other Agriculture Implements according to the BIS test code. I was also involved in Lab Tests, Field Performance Tests, Safety Tests and other Miscellaneous Tests.

My training also involved study of different systems of tractors and how they work as well as study of different agricultural Implements, their settings and workings. 

I also assisted in conducting various training programs (A1, U1, NB and also T1) in the supportive guidance of Engineers and Technicians for Diploma, Graduate and Technical as well as non-technical students about tractors and their different systems viz. Engine, Hydraulics, Transmission, Electrical, Steering and Brake System.

I dismantled and assembled the Engine (single and multi-cylinder Engines), Transmission, Hydraulic & Electrical Systems, as well as understood  settings and performed troubleshooting, repair, maintenance and servicing of tractors and agricultural machinery at SRFMTTI, Anantapur.

I also taught about engines & engine systems, especially for the 5 HP Kirloskar engine and tractor driving and field operations with agricultural implements such as M.B. Plough, Cultivator, Rotavator, Disk Plough, Disk Harrow, Combine Harvester, Power Tiller, Power Weeder.

How did you get your first break?

I got my First Break as a Graduate Apprentice Trainee (GAT) after the completion of my degree. 

After the completion of GAT, eventually I got a job offer while doing apprenticeship, because the General Manager of that company came to our institute for testing of their Power Tiller ICT (Initial Commercial Test). Seeing my work and dedication towards learning, they gave me an opportunity in their company, PAGARIYA KRUSHI TECH PVT LTD, AURANGABAD as a Production Engineer. I accepted this offer and joined the company after the completion of apprenticeship. I had served 3 months in that company. 

After 3 months, I got an offer from another company, MHASWADKAR AUTOLINES PVT LTD, SATARA, as a Senior Engineer – R&D. I switched companies because I always wanted to work in the R&D department. This company’s products are power weeder, brush cutter, knapsack sprayers, chain saw, water pumps, which they import from China. Here, I worked in the Training, Testing & Service department. I also did the ICT (Initial Commercial Test) of two 4-Stroke brush cutters @ NORTH EASTERN REGION FARM MACHINERY TRAINING & TESTING INSTITUTE, BISWANATH CHARALI, ASSAM

What were some of the challenges you faced? How did you address them? 

Challenge: 1

As I said earlier, I chose Agricultural Engineering for my UG even though I do not belong to a farmer’s family. I didn’t know which subjects were in this course. This was the most important turning point of my career and life. 

I accepted the challenge and I started understanding this subject, trying to relate to it and built my interest in agricultural engineering. I completed my degree with a 7.2 CGPA.

Challenge: 2

After the completion of my degree, I was really afraid about my future because I graduated from a private college where there was no scope for job placements. After my degree I had been preparing for IBPS (Bank Exam) for 6 months (From August 2018 – March-2019) and I had given 2 exams which I did not clear. After one month (in April 2019), I saw an advertisement for GAT. I applied for this exam & I was selected( in July 2019). But this was in the field of Agricultural Mechanisation i.e., Farm Machinery & Power (FMP). I studied Practical Testing of Farm Machines & Implements with BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards) codes. This was the toughest task for me. I also gave academic training to college students as well as ITI, Diploma, UG, PG students.

Where do you work now? Tell us about your current role

I am currently working in a “Startup Company” as a Manager- R&D. KVH AGRO TECH PVT LTD, PUNE manufactures Agricultural Implements and is located in Pune, Maharashtra. I am managing R & D, Training & Testing departments. This company manufactures tractor operated implements such as Cultivators, Seed Drills, Ridgers, Trailers, Potato Planters, etc.

We are currently working on the POWER TILLER & POWER WEEDER operated Implements such as Cultivators, Seed Drills, MB Plough, Trailers, etc & Hand held Power Tools (Intercultural Machines- Manually & Engine Operated). 

We also manufacture Inter-cultivators (Manually operated Weeder which is known as Kolpani Yantra in Maharashtra). Power (engine) operated Inter-cultivator is under R&D. 

I also run a Blog: – agriequipmentandmachineries.blogspot.com. This is specially created for Agricultural related information for Farmers, Students and those who belong to Agriculture Professions. This blog aims to give efficient information about “Agricultural Equipment and Machinery” such as Power Weeder, Power Tiller, Hand Held Power Tools like brush cutter, chainsaw etc.

What skills are needed for your role? How did you acquire the skills? 

For doing any job/work in the company you should have knowledge about that work (at least the basics) and should be willing to work anytime.You should give your best or must be interested in the work, must be curious, always ready to learn and accept new things, and have a positive attitude towards new tasks (even though you don’t know anything about it). Logical visualization is needed for some types of work. Last, but not the least, be humble, passionate & dedicated towards the work.

I love my job because I learn something new everyday & it makes me happy.

How does your work benefit society?

Basically, I belong to the Agricultural profession. And food is what humans need. No one can survive without food. Everyone wants fresh, tasty and delicious food. I am proud to be an Agricultural Engineer and to work for a cause to serve the Indian farmers (Backbones of India).

I believe that our R&D work on Agricultural Mechanization enhances the Agricultural productivity of Indian farmers by increasing crop yield through new innovations.

Your advice to students based on your experience? 

Firstly, you should do what you want and try to take advice from the experts/professionals who belong to your field.

My advice to Agricultural Students is, don’t think you will not get a job in a good position. You should try to enter the industry after graduation if you want to serve the Industry. 

For Agricultural Students, many doors are open in the Govt. & Private sectors. For that you should make an effort to build your skills..

Future Plans? 

I am currently focusing on R&D of new Agricultural Mechanization Products that benefit the Indian Agricultural sector. I would like to contribute to my current company because my career/self growth depends on the company’s growth. 

I will try to give chance to fresher’s (students) to innovate and bring in new ideas for the benefit of the Indian Agricultural & Agricultural Mechanization sector.