Ahmedabad-based ISRO scientist develops device to detect organic vs inorganic crops

As so-called organic products flood markets with its expensive price tags, another challenge the consumers face is to distinguish genuine organic products from fake.

A scientist from ISRO in Ahmedabad has developed a spectrometer that can determine within seconds whether agricultural produce has been cultivated using organic fertilisers or chemical ones. With the help of this device developed by ISRO scientist Madhusudan Patel, many people can be saved from being deceived.

After adopting organic or natural farming practices, farmers receive certification only after three years of verification by Gujarat Organic Products Certification Agency (GOPCA), a government certification body.

Many farmers, unable to wait for this certification, are found selling their produce at higher prices by falsely claiming it to be organic.

Such incidents have also been reported at Ahmedabad’s Gujarat Vidyapith, where sellers labelled their products as organic when they were not. As a result, customers falling prey to inorganic products sold under the organic label will now be protected. The cost of testing whether a product is organic or not could be as low as 50 paise to 1 rupee.

The scientist explains that the spectrometer can detect whether fruits, flowers, vegetables, grains, or pulses have been grown using chemical fertilisers. If no chemical fertilisers or pesticides have been used, the device can detect that too, within a matter of seconds. It can also identify whether chilies are organic or inorganic. Furthermore, the spectrometer can even detect adulteration in paneer within seconds.

The retired ISRO scientist added that the spectrometer can also estimate the quality of honey produced from hives placed in forests. It can show what components are present in the honey and the protein content as well. A specialised stand for placing beehives has also been developed. It can measure the weight of the honey collected and indicate the location where the beehive has been moved. Based on the bees’ behavior inside the hive, the device can indicate whether they are agitated or healthy.

Bees have an extraordinary sense of smell. If pollen starts to spread in a field even one kilometer away, the spectrometer can detect that as well due to the bees' strong bio-sensing ability.

Spectrometer can check seed quality

According to Patel, the spectrometer he developed can also determine the quality of seeds. It can tell whether the seeds are genuine or adulterated, providing valuable information to buyers. Adulterated seeds can destroy entire Kharif or Rabi seasons for farmers, and in some tragic cases, lead to farmer suicides.

This innovation has the potential to revolutionise quality assurance in agriculture, offering an affordable and quick solution for verifying authenticity in produce and farming materials.