In recent years, innovative methods of converting waste into useful products have become popular. One such innovation comes from Telangana innovator Samyuktha Penta, who has created a low-cost automatic incense stick making machine. This machine converts floral waste into incense sticks, providing economic opportunities for horticulture farmers in Sriramnagar Village, Ranga Reddy district.
Samyuktha Penta, an innovator and head of the Centre for Innovation and Social Transformation at KG Reddy College of Engineering and Technology in Hyderabad, explained that Sriramnagar village relies heavily on horticulture for its economy. However, a significant amount of flowers go to waste due to various reasons. To address this issue, Samyuktha developed the incense stick-making machine to convert floral waste into value-added products.
Four women from Sriramnagar village formed a self-help group and received training on how to use the machine. They started procuring leftover and used flowers locally, turning them into fine powder for making incense sticks. With this initiative, the women were able to earn Rs 5,000 per month. The project received support from the Telangana State Innovation Cell (TSIC) and KG Reddy College of Engineering and Technology.
The machine has the capability to convert dry flower waste into incense sticks and can produce around 980 sticks per hour. The machine also has an auto-adjust feature that stops production once a set number of sticks is reached. The incense sticks made by the women are currently being sold in five villages in Ranga Reddy, providing income for both the women and local farmers.
Samyuktha plans to expand the marketing of the product to renowned temples across the state to increase earning opportunities for the women involved in the project.
