Poor Maintenance and Lack of Farm Machinery Support

Problem Statement

Post-sale support for farm machinery, particularly high-value equipment, is fragmented and reactive. Machinery downtime due to lack of real-time diagnostics, remote monitoring, and timely repair services results in significant productivity losses during critical, time-sensitive operations (e.g., harvesting).

Innovation Opportunities

• IoT-based Machinery Telematics and Predictive Diagnostics: Installation of IoT sensors on farm equipment to monitor usage, fuel consumption, and component health, enabling predictive failure alerts.
• Real-Time Service Booking and Tracking Platforms: Mobile-first platforms for farmers or custom-hiring centres to instantly book certified local technicians, with service tracking and digital history of repairs.
• Local Technician Enablement Platforms: Digital platforms to train, certify, and equip local mechanics with spare parts inventory and diagnostic tools for specific brands of farm machinery.

Use Case Example

A harvester develops a fault during the rice harvest window. The IoT system detects an impending hydraulic issue, automatically alerts the custom-hiring centre and dispatches the nearest certified technician with the necessary spare part, minimising downtime.