Thrissur: Dr. U. Jaikumaran, professor and head, Agricultural Research Station under the Kerala Agriculture University, Mannuthy, received the national award 2014 for the best research worker (machinery and equipment development) instituted by the Coconut Development Board in Bhubaneswar on Friday. Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Radha Mohan Singh, presented the award at the function held in connection with the World Coconut Day. The award consisting of a certificate, trophy and cash of Rs.50,000 was for Kera Suraksha coconut climber designed by Mr Jaikumaran and developed by his team.
The climber is a simple device comprising a seat and a pedal portion weighing less than 8 kg. It is fastened to the palm through a steel rope and it takes only five seconds to tie the machine to the palm and the same time to untie it. Ascending and descending a 12-m-high palm can be done within 78 seconds. In the revised edition, the machine is fastened using flexible steel rope. It can be adjusted as per the girth of the palm. A cycle seat and a handle clasping the palm are provided for firm grip and seat. The device costing Rs 4,500 is set to become a ‘family farming machine' as women can safely use it.
