Rs 10 lakh prize for best coconut plucking device

This was announced by Industries Minister Elamaram Karim who not long ago had attracted ridicule for commenting that industries cannot be set up on coconut tree tops.

The department’s announcement has much to do with the  shortage of coconut palm climbers owing to the reluctance of the new generation among the traditional tree climbers to stick to their profession. Apart from  causing losses for coconut cultivators , this has jacked up wages for climbing. Also, since the existing machines were not user-friendly the new equipment has to be easy to handle.

 Karim said that those who wanted to participate in the contest could take their designs to the expert committee which will select the best among the lot. If found worthy, the developer would get Rs 1 lakh to make the equipment. He would also be given funds to manufacture the same on a large scale.