FARMER'S NOTEBOOK
Powered stripper for separating groundnut pods
M.J. Prabu
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The machine can strip in one day the groundnuts harvested in one acre.
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Photo: TNAU
LABOUR SAVER: The machine can be continuously operated for one and a half hours.
THE COLLEGE of Agricultural Engineering, Kumulur, of the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, TNAU, Coimbatore, has developed a device that strips groundnut pods from nuts with minimal damage.
Groundnut is a major cash crop grown in India. Harvesting groundnut is a time consuming and laborious process.
Separation of the groundnut pods from the vines and removal of nuts are mostly done manually by hitting the pods on the ground or on any hard surface to release the nuts inside.
Broken nuts
While this method can help remove the nuts from the pods, chances of nuts getting broken are high. Broken nuts are seldom used for oil extraction.
According to Dr. R. Manian, Dean, Agriculture Engineering College and Research Institute, TNAU, this machine has been developed specifically to suit the requirements of both medium and small farmers.
Salient feature
"The salient feature of this machine is that the vines are not fed into the stripper and hence the fodder value of the vines is maintained," said Dr. Manian.
The machine uses a motor that runs on kerosene. About five litres of kerosene is needed to run this type of machine, which can be continuously operated for one and a half hours after which it has to be switched off to allow the engine to cool down.
The machine is supported on hard rubber tyres for free movement in the field.
The machine is closed on all sides except for an opening called the feeding window. It is designed for three persons to work simultaneously on it.
A feeding platform is also provided for a person to conveniently hold and thresh the crops. The root zone of the plant is fed through the window to let the beater fingers strip the pods.
The machine can strip in just one day the groundnuts harvested in one acre, a task that would have taken a farming family a full two days. .
Extensive field trails conductedhave shown that the machine can achieve 100 per cent stripping with less than two per cent pod damage according to Dr. Manian. The machine is priced Rs.19, 000 and is made to order. For further information, readers may contact the Agriculture Engineering College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu-641 003, phone: 0422-5511352.
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