Arecanut Climber in Kerala Gets National Award for Novelty

The automatic arecanut climber developed by Mr. Suresh P V from Amarambalam in Malappuram region received national 3^rd price in the 10th Biennial Innovation Award of National Innovation Foundation (NIF). The national award was given to him during the Festival of Innovation & Entrepreneurship, which was inaugurated by President of India, Shri Ramnath Kovind at Gandhinagar in Gujarat. It must be noted that around 12,500 entries were received from across the country.

The automated or mechanical arecanut climber basically works in petrol engine that climbs and harvests with the help of a remote control. The machine, that includes a forward, reverse and neutral gears is adjustable to palms of different thicknesses and finishes the harvesting operation in just 2 - 3 minutes. The fuel consumption is about 0.5 litres / hour.

James P George of DDM, NABARD in Malappuram said,“What makes Suresh different from others is his passion for new inventions”. National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development has supported the novelty in its initial development.

In 2004, Suresh had developed a hydroelectric power unit that brought electricity to 60 houses in his village. Later after two years, he made a ropeway to bring agricultural produces from 1,200 feet below. Suresh has also developed an economy Genset for the milking machine.

Professor & Head, KVK Malappuram of Kerala Agricultural University (KAU), Habeeburrahman said, “Suresh surprised me when he displayed a machine that carries a person of 80 kg along with it in a palm that works in petrol engine”. He added that such rural innovators securing national credit is a happy moment for all of us.

Suresh’s innovation was also awarded first in the agricultural category at the Rural Innovation Startup Conclave at the National Institute of Rural Development (NIRD) in Hyderabad.