C.H.A.K
Community Harvesting Agricultural Kit
Redesigning a farming tool for efficiency and reduced strain in South Asia’s tough, dry soil. With a simple design to enables affordable replication by local tradesmen, fostering community ties and financial accessibility.
Durations
30 Weeks
Project Type
Individual project for final year University
Scoping Document Findings
Physical Limitations
Older farmers face rapid ageing and physical demands.
Dependence of Traditonal Materials
Problems arise with modern and traditional farming methods.
Constraints of Adaptations
Financial issues and literacy limit modern tool adoption.
Initial Research
Problem Statements
Physically demanding work without sufficient rest leads to exhaustion and reduced productivity
Long and Exhausting Hours
High Labour Requirements
Five farmers take an entire day to cultivate one acre due to the lack of modern tools.
Unaffordable Assistance
Financial struggles make tractors inaccessible, forcing reliance on manual labour, which is slow and exhausting.
Reframed Brief
To redesign a digging hoe used for land cultivation that is more efficient and effectively addresses the eight physical pain points associated with its use. The digging hoe should be designed to battle tough, dry soil in hot South Asian climates. The redesigned hoe should be simple in construction to allow local tradesmen, including blacksmiths, carpenters, and electricians, to easily and affordably recreate it. This initiative aims to strengthen communal ties while ensuring the solution remains financially accessible for farmers.
Initial Ideation
Final Concept
Mechanism Testing
I conducted multiple rounds of mechanism testing to confirm the selected system was truly optimal for the task at hand.
As the product aims to support local economies and strengthen community ties among farmers, I engaged with foreign government officials to gather their insights and assess its potential impact.
“By leveraging cost-effective strategies and innovative approaches, CHAK can ensure that economic progress is inclusive and accessible to all citizens, and envisions a self-reliant Pakistan where every citizen, from artisans to traders, benefits from economic opportunities”
“Investing in CHAK means empowering traditional industries, from textiles to agriculture, enhancing sustainability”
“Our government believes in cost-effective solutions that enable small businesses to flourish without financial strain and CHAK ensures farmers and local tradesmen have access to affordable tools”
“Creating local employment opportunities helps families build secure futures and contributes to national stability. also strengthens its position in regional trade.”
Technical Detailing
£24,000
Tractor
£490 (Materials + Making)
C.H.A.K
£16
Digging Hoe
User Manual
Designed with tradesmen in mind, the product features a simple design and minimal material usage, encouraging farmers to collaborate with local craftsmen, strengthening the economy.
Additionally, I created a user manual as a public document, available in multiple languages to support accessibility. It includes LEGO-like instructions, a component checklist, and a step-by-step guide for assembly, disassembly, and maintenance of the CHAK
Welding
Metal Working
Final Model
Solving Problem Statement
