Abstract:
Coconut is one of the most useful trees in the world. Tender coconut is valued
both for its sweet water, which is a refreshing drink and the delicious gelatinous meat
(kernel). But the extraction of water from the tender coconut is a difficult task. But almost
at all places, the machete is the tool used in chopping the husk and cut opening the shell.
This effort requires considerable training and skill. The risk of physical injury is also too
high. Though some attempts were made to devise simple hand tools for cutting the fruit,
these too did not result in the production of a tool suitable for easy use by women. To
overcome this limitation, a hand operated Tender Coconut Cutting Machine was
developed at KCAET Tavanur. The developed tender coconut cutting machine consists of
a knife guiding cum cutting unit, holding unit and a stand. In this method the coconut is
held tightly by a holder and a knife is inserted via a cylindrical unit. This cylindrical unit
is attached with a handle. The cylindrical unit is rotated with the help of the handle. The
tender coconut is held firmly with the help of the metallic holder. Thus the tender coconut
is held firmly and the cylinder with the cutting tool is rotated. On rotation of the cylinder,
the cutting is accomplished.
It is found that an unskilled woman labour could operate
the machine without any training. The time taken for cutting one tender coconut was less
than 12 seconds. It is safe to use and economical. It is found that if a women entrepreneur
who purchase this machine for Rs 2500/ can earn about Rs 950 per day easily. Women
are not coming forward for starting tender coconut parleys due to the fear of physical
injury of their hands while cutting tender coconuts and this problem is effectively solved
in this research work.
