Problem Addressed
Reducing the time and labour required for the threshing of groundnuts. For example, threshing two acres of groundnut crop requires 10-12 laborers. The cost of the labor per day is Rs. 400/-. So, for two acres of crop the cost comes up to Rs. 4000 to 4800/- per day. Automating the process reduces labor requirements, lessen the cost and time for the farmers.
Technology
The pickup and threshing machine can be attached to the tractor. It can collect the groundnut and do the threshing, separating the groundnut from the fodder, and also re-pickup the uncrushed material left. It lifts the dugout crops and automatically threshes them. There are separate storage compartments for groundnut shells and leaves. Thus, it can do threshing and also keep the farm clean. This machine can be operated non-stop as long as the weather is dry and sunny and there is no moisture. Having sold three of these machines, it was noticed that the tiny twigs or waste material was not yet getting completely separated from the nut. For this, a destoner machine is also in the process of being developed.
Societal Impact
Making the process fully automatic with no labor requirements saves time, cost, and effort on the part of the farmers.
Current status
Three machines have been sold and trials are ongoing for further improvement. The machine costs Rs. 11,50,000/-. A patent has also been filed.
