Presentation at the Workshop on Crop Production Equipment for the System of Rice Intensification (SRI) Presenter: Steve Leinau: Earth Links, USA Title: Expanding SRI Equipment Accessibility Worldwide Date: November 3, 2014 Venue: ACISAI, Asian Institute of Technology, Thailand

1. Expanding SRI Equipment Accessibility
Worldwide
Supporting Farmers by Sharing
SRI Equipment Designs through an
Open Source Design Library

2. Earth Links is an NGO with a history of
using and promoting new technologies
in environmental projects
For example our early use of handheld GPS units
for mapping in Nicaragua combined with
producing two documentary films helped win a
1,000,000 acre land rights claim for the Rama
People of Nicaragua.
“We bring people and resources together”

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Earth Links’ original goal was to provide equipment
designs for Latin America but it has changed over
time to increasing number of drawings of SRI
equipment worldwide.
These designs will be computer files in an Open
Source Library with free file downloads.
We now have a growing group of web, database and
prototype designers that are working on a set of core
drawings of common SRI equipment.
We need ideas and help!

4. I want to acknowledge small farmers, blacksmiths and
agricultural engineers who have been extremely successful and
innovative designers of SRI equipment
Weeders, A Reference Compendium, WASSAN, Ravindra

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We are supporting farmers and those working to scale up SRI
worldwide by creating this Open Source Library of existing and
future SRI equipment designs.
A virtual resource of weeder blueprints
Bringing together the experiences of;
+Farmers
+Free Computer Aided Design Software (CAD)
+Crowding Sourcing
+Professional Volunteers
+Development Professionals
+Government Agencies that have produced designs and…

6. Few clear drawings are available
to farmers, NGOs, and extension agents who want to build SRI
rice equipment or to companies interested in manufacturing
SRI rice equipment. Our goal is to help change this.
From Weeders, A Reference Compendium

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What is in the Open Source Library ?
2D Drawing Cono Weeder, Earth Links Inc.

8. Computer Rendering - Earth Links Inc
Clear Visualizations of Equipment

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We begin with a Photo, Youtube video or Hand
Drawing

10. Computer Aided Designs are drawn in SolidWorks (2D)
We can share, standardize (or modify) components in multiple SRI
research programs and SRI demonstration sites.
2D and 3D SketchUp - Earth Links Inc.

11. Opportunities for equipment development are increased
— Computer Aided Design with visualizations
— Open Source File Sharing-ideas exchanged
— Crowd Sourcing of Designs
Earth Links Inc, Mandava Rendering in Sketchup

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2D Drawing of Punjab Marker 2007
SolidCad Marker Specification/Detail

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Sketchup Rendering Punjab Marker 2007

14. Farmers with few financial resources have
managed to build effective equipment.
Photos SRI-RICE website

15. Designs that are modified and prove effective in
evaluation programs can then be made available to the
broadest number of farmers.
CAD Computer Renderings Designs developed from CEDAC Report 2009

16. 1 Again, Starting with a photo or drawing
2 Then working in two dimensions “2D” with “SolidCad”
3 Then we can move to a second CAD Program; “SketchUp”
Finger, Cono, and Drum Weeders

17. SketchUp is a Free CAD Program
with intuitive viewing and measurement from any angle
SketchUp file Earth links Inc

18. Photos can make it very hard to see details

19. Bicol, Philipenes, Leto the Farmer Scientist
2D Drawings and Renderings can show
very high levels of details

20. Computer Rendering Details - Earth links Inc

21. Photo SRI-RICE Website

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Star Weeder Rendering

23. Drum/Peg Rendering Details

24. CAD designs will help meet the needs of SRI farmers
requiring higher degrees of mechanization.
Design for Earth University, Costa Rica

25. Adding Power will be critical in scaling up SRI
Photo from SRI-RICE Website, Mr. Ariyatne Subasinghe, from Hingurakgoda, Sri Lanka

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27. Conceptual CAD Drawing of 25 CC Vertical Shaft - Motorized
Two Row Weeder with interchangeable parts

28. Sharing is easy between
models and pieces of equipment
+ Parts can be “reused”
+ Parts can be resized

29. The open source library takes advantage of files in several ways.
Parts and equipment are available to be “grabbed” from the library and then
assembled into new equipment in an efficient manner.
SketchUp file from GrabCad

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31. Component Designs can be Scaled and Stress Tested
Computer Stress Tested 40/50/60 CM Diameter Paddy Wheel with 20 CM Width Paddle

32. A goal of the Open Source Library is to increase the
equipment appropriate for women farmers
Weed Weasel - USA based Sales- head and removable tines

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Existing designs can be modified

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Possible Weed Weasel Addition/Modification

35. Why Share Designs?
1 We can use, test and compare the same design (or
component such as a rotor)
2 Compare results and make modifications
3 Suggest/develop new equipment
4 Communicate ideas clearly and quickly
5 Incorporate designs from sources such as Conservation
Agriculture

36. Together we can create a process
of searching for well used, and well-tested designs
to add to the library.
Earth Links does not design or manufacture
weeders
We want to faithfully reproduce designs already in
use and help bring other people designs to light.
We will not produce designs that are patented or
copyrighted without permission.

37. Search for a Weeder
to meet my needs;
Sort by
mp
Cost USD < 5 USD < 20 USD < 50 USD
Plant Spacing 16 CM 18CM 20 CM
Materials Metal Wood Bamboo
The library will have a simple set of searches such
as weeder type, price, plant spacing and materials.
Links will be provided to the SRI-Rice database of SRI
equipment manufactures, research articles…

38. The open source library will incorporate a Global Commons License to allow
contributors to share their designs and suggest modifications to “Original”
designs.
Students will be able to upload their projects to a special section of untested
equipment.
A project of Alfred State students, SRI Team 2, organized by SRI Global Inc and SRI-Rice

39. The Open Source Library will collect useful components that
will speed up building new designs without reinventing the
wheel.
Computer Rendered file from 3D Warehouse

40. Thank You
Stephen Leinau, MPA
MD. Saifujjaman
Earth Links Inc.
Santa Cruz ,CA, USA
elinks@cruzio.com

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