Coconut Tree Climber Research Articles

EFFECT OF FoCT TRAINING ON ADOPTION OF COCONUT TREE CLIMBING DEVICE FOR HARVESTING COCONUTS

Coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) is an important and versatile tree crop with diverse uses, supporting the livelihood of many farm families in the primary sector, grown in many states of India. Coconuts are known for their great versatility as evidenced by many traditional uses ranging from food to cosmetics. Assamese people prepare different types of edible items from coconut fruit in many festivals. Now, the majority of the coconut growers in Assam were facing the problems of shortage of skilled labour for nut harvesting. The traditional method of harvesting the nuts is quite risky and accident-prone. To overcome this problem, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Barpeta, Assam conducted training for unemployed rural youths in collaboration with Coconut Development Board, Guwahati. The objectives of the FoCT training were to impart training to a group of unemployed youths in developing their technical skills for harvesting of coconuts, to mitigate the problem of non-availability of coconut tree climbers for coconut harvesting. The present study was conducted at KVK, Barpeta (Assam) with an attempt to know the effect of friends of coconut tree (FoCT) training on the adoption of coconut tree climbing devices. For the present study, 40 trainees were selected purposively. The majority 45% of the trainees use the coconut climbing device only for plucking of their own coconut tree followed by 35% who use the coconut climbing device as a source of income generation and 20% of trainees do not at all use the device. Among the two methods of climbing, the advanced method of coconut tree climber takes less time (3-5 minutes) to climb than the traditional method (7-10 minutes). On the other hand, among the two methods of climbing, the advanced method of coconut tree climber harvested a greater number of nuts and many numbers of harvesting trees over the traditional method.

Automatic Coconut Tree Climber with Expropriator

In this new era, modernization plays a key role. Many human tasks are now being replaced with innovations and robots. There is an urge to handle modern technology. Only a few are interested in climbing trees due to many disparities faced by hikers but demand high pay. This results in a tremendous demand for tree climbing manpower. There are different approaches available for the climbing of coconut trees, however, they require people to accompany the mechanical structure. The idea of a smart remote-controlled tree climbing mechanism is proposed to make the climbing process easier and convenient. Coconut tree climber is a machine used without human effort to climb coconut trees and harvest coconut. It consists of a hexagonal frame holding all the devices inside it and by adjusting the driver circuit, the complete structure can be driven up and down. This mechanical frame set-up is made of lightweight material. Gear motors are powered by the driver circuit wherein the battery supplies. The treewidth usually differs between 45 cm and 55 cm. By considering the tree structure the frame size is designed accordingly. Since width changes between trees, the mechanical frame is constructed with various diameters using spring mechanism. Grip wheels are used to produce friction. Gear motors are used which produces small quantity of regeneration. The battery can store this energy and reuse it. The Robotic arm is placed on the mechanical frame to pick the coconut without any crew from the tree. The machine's cost is about ₹ 20k. This automated remotecontrolled coconut climber is supposed to be very obligatory for farmers.

Amaran: An Unmanned Robotic Coconut Tree Climber and Harvester

There is an acute shortage of human coconut tree climbers to harvest coconuts in India and other developing countries. The consequential diminished availability of skilled tree climbers, to pass along the trade secrets to the succeeding generations, highlights the exigent need for an unmanned coconut-tree-climber as an alternative solution. This article presents Amaran, a novel robotic coconut tree climber and harvester. Amaran is comprised of a harvester with a distinctive robotic arm (RA) and a cutter, which can be attached to a ring-shaped frame that can be fastened to a coconut tree. Amaran can be controlled, through a wireless interface, either by an operator on the ground or via a smartphone-based app. Once dispositioned in the vicinity of the coconut bunch, the cutter is commanded to harvest the coconuts by cutting the stem of the bunch attached to the tree. Verification of the Amaran robot's viability was confirmed by tests conducted on a coconut tree set up in the design lab. Subsequently, the design of the Amaran robot was validated by field tests on a coconut farm. In this article, we discuss the design of the Amaran body and harvester. Amaran's dexterity in climbing and harvesting coconuts can be challenged by height, circumference, and inclination of the tree. Experimental results show that Amaran can successfully climb trees up to 15.2 m tall, circumferences ranging from 0.66 to 0.92 m, and tree trunk inclinations of up to 30°.

Farmer innovations in Karnataka

The study was conducted in four district of Karnataka namely: Davanagere, Shivamogga, Gulbarga and Tumkur to identify and document gross root farmer innovations. Case study method was employed in the study and data were collected through personal interview. In all seven innovations were recorded in detail considering cost, utility and adaptability. The innovations namely, red gram ripping machine, high density planting in arecanut, solar operated insect trap, environment friendly natural phenyl, millet malt, arecanut and coconut tree climber, paired and pentagonal planting system in coconut, power operated weed cutter were documented. The study revealed that by using red gram nipping device 6 acres can be covered instead of 1 acre manually per day. In high density arecanut planting system 1500 seedlings can be planted in place of 550 seedlings in conventional method. The value addition to brown top millet has increased selling price by 10 times when compared to selling raw millet. Through using coconut and arecanut climbing machine, tree climbing has been increased four times and free of physical injuries. In paired and pentagonal planting system the farmer has planted total of 200 coconut without using mainland and efficiently utilizing bunds and farm roads in 5 hectares land. It is observed that these farmer innovations are generally environment friendly and easily adoptable.

Development of a Low Cost Coconut Tree Climber for Small Farmers in Bangladesh

Development of a Low Cost Coconut Tree Climber for Small Farmers in Bangladesh

A Survey on Robotic Coconut Tree Climbers – Existing Methods and Techniques

As the coconut palm growers are struggling with the acute shortage of human coconut tree climbers to climb and harvest the coconuts, many are working towards possible alternatives to help them handle this situation. In this study paper we analyse the problems associated with the shortage of human coconut tree climbers in -depth. We also present details of various existing mechanical models available in the market and have not yet solved this issue. Along with this we discuss how robotics and automation could be a possible solution for this entire problem. In this context we discuss about the features of such robotic system and also give suggestions on various unmanned robotic models that can be designed and implemented.

An unusual presentation of a stroke in a developing country: a case report

BackgroundPatients often, but not always, present with features that allow easy differentiation between traumatic brain injury and a stroke. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment are crucial for a good outcome in both. Millions of people worldwide climb coconut and other trees without any protective gear. We present a case of a coconut tree climber found unconscious after a fall, initially misdiagnosed as a traumatic brain injury but later proven to be a hemorrhagic stroke. We discuss how to prevent such incidents and why that deserves more attention. There is a severe paucity of such case reports and discussion of related issues in medical literature.Case presentationA 65 year old, previously healthy Sinhalese man had fallen from a coconut tree and was found unconscious with wounds on his limbs on the right side of his body. He was taken to the closest hospital. After being given primary care, he was transferred to the Kandy teaching hospital for neurosurgical management. Physical examination findings suggested a stroke but not the medical history. We could not exclude a head and cervical spine injury clinically. A computed tomography scan of the brain and cervical spine showed a left thalamic hemorrhage but no other injuries that could be attributed to trauma, therefore we confirmed it was a hemorrhagic stroke presenting as a traumatic brain injury.ConclusionSince strokes are very common and rising in prevalence, being more aware of uncommon presentations like this can be useful to all health care workers working in acute medical settings especially in developing countries. Computed tomography scans of the brain plays a critical role in accurate diagnosis of both strokes and traumatic brain injuries; but many people in the developing world do not have prompt access to computed tomography scanners. Providing early access to a computed tomography scan of the brain to a wider population after a head injury or a stroke may contribute to reducing morbidity and mortality. Developing and promoting affordable and simple safety methods for palm and other tree climbers can also help to reduce morbidity and mortality.

Study of Coconut Tree Climber Use Efficiency over Traditional Methods in Chitradurga District of Karnataka

Coconut is one of the most important crops under rainfed conditions in marginal soil of Chitradurga districts. Majority of the coconut growers in the district were facing the problem of theft of fallen nuts and shortage of skilled labor for nut harvesting. The traditional method of harvesting the nuts using knife with bamboo sticks for dwarf trees and climbing the tall trees was quite risky and accident prone. To overcome this problem, ICAR-Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Chitradurga conducted training programmes to unemployed rural farm youths in collaboration with Coconut Development Board, Cochin. Total 80 farm youths were trained during 2012–13. With the conventional coconut climbing, a person could harvest about 8–25 nuts/tree while climbing the tree one had experienced body pain, muscles catch and lot of life risk with meager earnings of Rs.5, 000-15, 000/-year. After using the Coconut tree climber, annual income increased to Rs.20, 000-60, 000/-year and a person could climb more than 80–100 feet tall coconut tree without any life risk and harvesting efficiency increased to tune of 20–50 nuts/tree. This was encouraged many youths from surrounding villages to approach KVK to undergo training and choose coconut harvesting as an employment generation opportunity to meet their livelihood demand. Simultaneously, farmers were also benefitted by harvesting the nuts at right time and getting quality nuts also good price in the market.

Robotic Arm Design for Coconut-Tree Climbing Robot

Coconut is inseparable part of life of people of southern India particularly in the states of Kerala and Tamilnadu. Coconut as tender coconut water, coconut gratings, coconut milk, coconut oil etc. find its way in at least one food item cooked daily the people of this southern part of India. Due to extreme shortage in people to climb the coconut trees and pluck the coconuts, the cost of coconuts is increasing steeply. One solution to this problem is to have a robotic coconut tree climber with an arm to cut the coconuts. In this research work, we present the design, implementation and testing of robotic arms to be used in these robotic coconut tree climbers, to cut the coconuts. Different robotic arm designs are presented with proper analysis and results.

FOOT DEFORMATIONS IN COCONUT TREE CLIMBERS OF SOUTH INDIA

Abstract There are observable foot changes in professional coconut tree climbers of south India, but those are not reported in literature. Objective of the present study was to quantify the foot adaptations in south Indian coconut tree climbers.Data from a total of 220 male volunteers, between 18-55 years of age, engaged in the profession of coconut tree climbing were collected to find the anatomical changes in foot in them.The data revealed the coconut tree climbers are having prominent pes cavus, varus foot and abducted great toe. The adaptation pattern of foot varies depending upon the pressure it is subjected to bear.This study establishes an occupationally induced form of foot deformations or adaptations which are not, reported much in the literature.

Biomechanics of Climbing Coconut Trees and its Implications in Ankle Foot Morphology- A Video Sequence analysis

Few studies regarding foot changes and health of professional coconut tree climbers of south India are reported. Medical emergencies are very common, especially due to accidental fall from coconut trees, while on job. Objective of the present study is to analyze the altered biomechanics of lower limb joints used by the coconut tree climbers. Videographs of tree climbing each from a total of 30 male volunteers, all between 30-55 years, engaged in coconut tree climbing profession were collected. The data revealed the coconut tree climbers are using abnormal rages of foot and lower limb joint motions. This study establishes an occupationally induced form of altered biomechanics, which leads to professional health hazards.

Occupational marks in a coconut tree climber

Occupational marks in a coconut tree climber