Sandesh Purushottam Bachale

(Agro-Operations, Sustainability Lead, Bio-Gas Plant Incharge)

Seed Potato Management

• Oversaw the entire seed potato lifecycle, from sowing to harvesting, ensuring optimal crop health and productivity.
• Conducted multiplication trials at multiple locations to evaluate performance and adaptability.
• Performed field audits at various growth stages to monitor crop health and compliance with quality standards.
• Supervised seed quality, sorting, and grading processes during arrival and dispatch at cold storage facilities.
• Engaged with farmers, providing training on best practices in seed potato management, pest control, disease prevention, and post-harvest handling.
• Conducted periodic audits of cold storage facilities to ensure proper seed quality, temperature, and humidity conditions.
• Evaluated seed quality based on key parameters to meet industry and market standards.

Composting and Waste Management

• Supervised and coordinated the composting process, ensuring compliance with established protocols and producing over 700 metric tons of high-quality compost annually, exceeding organizational targets.
• Led planning and execution of composting operations, optimizing processes to improve efficiency and reduce production costs.
• Collaborated with government research institutes such as VNIT and cross-functional teams to enhance composting techniques and develop innovative solutions for waste management.
• Conducted routine quality checks and laboratory testing of compost to evaluate parameters like NPK content, pH, organic carbon, and moisture, ensuring adherence to industry standards.
• Designed and implemented biogas production processes from agricultural waste, improving gas yield and reducing environmental impact.
• Managed budgets and cost of production (COP) for composting operations, implementing cost-saving strategies while maintaining product quality.
• Prepared and presented MIS reports, ensuring compliance with Fertilizer Department guidelines and documentation requirements.
• Developed and executed comprehensive waste management strategies, including recycling and waste reduction initiatives, achieving significant environmental and cost benefits.
• Designed and conducted field trials to test compost efficiency on paddy, potato, and horticultural crops.
• Provided technical training to farmers and agricultural workers on sustainable compost usage, pest management, and soil health improvement techniques.
• Led research projects to evaluate the impact of compost on soil fertility, crop yield, and environmental sustainability.

Projects Implemented in industry

1) Biogas

• Collaborated with cross-functional teams to test, analyze, and refine biogas production technologies, focusing on cost-effectiveness and sustainability.
• Conducted trials on paddy straw for gas generation, optimizing processes to maximize energy output.
• Contributed to waste reduction and greenhouse gas emission mitigation by converting paddy straw into a sustainable energy source, supporting environmentally friendly practices.

2) Polyphenol Extraction from potato peel

• Led a research and development program to extract and produce polyphenols from potato peel waste, focusing on waste reduction and sustainable resource utilization.
• Conducted experiments to optimize extraction processes, refining variables such as temperature, time, and solvent selection to maximize polyphenol yield.
• Promoted environmental sustainability by converting potato peel waste, a byproduct, into high-value products, reducing waste and supporting eco-friendly practices.
• Collaborated with industry experts and academic institutions, including VNIT, to incorporate the latest advancements and best practices into R&D efforts.

3) Bio-Potash Extraction From bio-ash

• Conducted pilot-scale experiments to develop and optimize bio-potash extraction processes from bio-ash materials, including experiment design, data collection, and analysis.
• Analyzed experimental data and interpreted results to identify process improvements and recommend strategies for scaling up production.
• Developed innovative solutions to enhance efficiency and sustainability in bio-potash production, contributing to environmentally friendly practices.