Development and performance evaluation of manual harvesting device for kinnow (Citrus nobilis X citrus deliciosa) fruit

Abstract

Harvesting is one of the most important activities in fruit production, handling and preservation cycle. Fruits are generally damaged due to lack of a suitable harvesting device. A study was conducted to survey the existing traditional harvesting methods utilized for Kinnow fruits and to identify associated physical and physiological problems occurred in Kinnow fruit harvesting. Based on the identified problems and to reduce physical working stress of farm workers in harvesting operation an Ergo-Friendly harvesting system was developed, which comprised of aluminium telescopic pipe, clutch operated cutting mechanism, micro-camera, display, battery, fruit collection net and ergonomically designed harness. The more output in terms of harvested fruits obtained in traditional harvesting method than improved method but harvesting of Kinnow fruit from traditional method leads to a high damage (8.80 percent) whereas it was nil for the developed method. Using developed method harvesting leads to a profit of Rs 42,059/hectare. This makes the machine economically better than traditional method.