FARM-HAND has created a cloud-based irrigation system that could save energy and improve yields for small farms in India. The business started off as a Heriot Watt University-led project called Scorres, managed by Lucy Bryden. The product, Water-Hand, aims to help Indian farmers manage their water use, but Bryden has ambitions to expand the venture into other countries.

Name: Lucy Bryden

Age: 50

Position: Project manager

WHAT’S YOUR BUSINESS CALLED?

Farm-Hand

WHERE IS IT BASED?

Edinburgh

WHY DID YOU SET UP THE BUSINESS?

I AM a chartered engineer but my role at the university is project manager for research projects. The business started off as an Innovate UK project with partners in the UK and India. It’s about trying to balance energy demand and supply in communities, as well as balancing irrigation of crops and making sure it was affordable for Indian farmers. Most irrigation systems are designed for bigger farms but the average farm in India is only three acres. It’s a better outcome for crops in a higher yield so we saw a gap in the market for this product. Half of those in India work in farming and women are increasingly taking on the running of Indian farms as the men are moving to cities for more stable work.

We were winners in the wildcard category at Scottish Edge and have also been on the Climate Kick programme which works out of the EICC – the Edinburgh University climate change building. It supports start-ups in the climate change sphere.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

IN the first project there was only one farm involved. Before this they had to turn on taps and decide the amount of water. This was usually electronically inaccurate as their plan was to just leave the taps on. Farmers have free access to electricity in India but it is costing the Indian Government lots of money. There is a move towards solar pumping in the country. We have 15 farms that we are trialling the system on. The feedback has been excellent and we have had interest from other farms. The way it works is farmers have an app on their phone and they can adjust the water from that.

HOW IS IT DIFFERENT FROM COMPETING BUSINESSES?

WE are piloting on a number of farms to expand the range. It was originally focused on vegetable-based crops like lettuce, basil and corn but the farms we are trialling on now have crops like sugar cane, banana and more fruit.

It’s not new for big farms but a system like this is not currently used on average-sized farms in the developing world.

Sugar cane feeds into one mill only run by one sugar cane manufacturer so the role of the sugar manufacturer has to be to help farmers. Farms are getting smaller due to climate change.

WHAT IS YOUR TARGET MARKET?

OUR product is mainly aimed at the average farmer. We’ve simplified the hardware down to very simple sensors and machine algorithms and weather forecasting. One thing we did was co-create what we came up with farmers. The original research involved workshops with farmers to see what they wanted. They said they wanted to have an input on whether to increase water and didn’t want to rely on the weather.

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT RUNNING THE BUSINESS?

THIS is the first time I have worked in India but I have done lots of European projects. Farm-Hand has the chance to make a huge impact in terms of water and energy savings and helping people. It is exciting to see what new tech can do. We have got a roadmap and have applied for a research grant for Nepal and Uganda. If we don’t get a research grant China is interested and we have got the money to do it there. Farms in China are not as small as in India, Nepal and Uganda. We are also looking at adapting what we have to suit our own [UK] market.

WHERE DO YOU HOPE THE BUSINESS WILL BE IN 10 YEARS’ TIME?

WE want it to go as international as possible. The Indian market is in the early stages in terms of the internet.

Our system could become part of something bigger than helps farmers. The opportunities around mobile phone growth in India is huge.

The market is massive so we need to make sure what we have is accessible and affordable.