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Improves the production capacity of banana fiber extraction machine. Designs a fully automatic machine too
Banana tree generates revenue even after its fruits are harvested! Surprised!! Mr. S. Prasath, an agriculture engineer and passionate researcher from Alukkuli village, Erode district, Tamil Nadu highlights, “Banana fiber extracted from its stem (after harvesting banana) has many agricultural and industrial applications. The fiber when used as agriculture input augments the growth of the plant and increases the productivity by many folds. The fiber is extracted from the banana stem using a machine.”
Mr. Prasath was first introduced to the banana extracting machine 10 years ago at Myrada KVK, Erode demonstration workshop. The machine instantly caught his attention and he was determined to dedicate his time and resources to upgrade the machine. He was not happy with the production capacity of the machine hence was asked by the officials to make the required changes. “I did the required changes and was successful in increasing the production capacity to 100-120 kg fiber production per day,” he adds.
Presently the machine is available in three variations – [a] Single motor with Single operation, [2] Single motor with Double operation and [3] Single motor with Four operations. “The first model requires one labor, second two labors while the third variant needs four labors. Production capacity increases by moving from model one to three and similarly power consumption reduces from model one to three,” he elaborates. These machines are manually operated machine that can run non-stop for 8-9 hours. All varieties of banana can be fed in the machine to extract the fiber. Commonly from one stem 150-200 grams fiber is extracted. In one acre farmland one can approximately procure 1,000-1,500 stems. It takes one month to manufacture one machine.
When asked about the application of banana fiber in agriculture, he responds, “It can be used as an alternative to coir as it is high in protein content. Besides it consists of many essential nutrients required for the growth of plants. Banana fiber has the potential to be used widely in hydroponics or soilless cultivation.” In addition it has more than 10 industrial applications such as Indian currency, cooling pads, roofing sheets, bricks, paper, use-and –throw vessels etc. The by-products of banana fibre extraction that is pith and sap water are also used in farming. Sap water can be used as growth promoter while after composting pith it helps increase the beneficial microorganisms in the soil. Pith is also used for making banana fibre pots and pellets as growth base material for nursery plants.
In order to further increase the banana fiber production Mr. Prasath has crafted fully automatic machine. He says, “The design and drawing of my fully automatic banana extraction machine is ready with me. I wait for the investor or some machine manufacturer to commence the commercial operations.”
The fully automatic banana extraction machine is designed to feed the banana stems through the conveyor. “Quality and quantity of the fiber produced in this machine shall be finest. It would not need any human intervention. One stem would yield 300 gram fiber,” he claims. “This machine will be best in the world in terms of production and productivity.”
India lacks the awareness on benefits of banana fiber application. The potential of the commodity is completely untapped. “Once people realize its benefits we can produce huge quantity. Every year we are exporting close to 3 million metric ton banana fruit so we have the potential of producing one million ton banana fiber. Imagine the revenue we can generate from the same! I wish I am able to get some grant or investor soon to start manufacturing the machine and contribute to our national economy,” he concludes with a hope!
Contact details:
Mr.S.Prasath
No 20, Mahalakshmi Nagar,
Modachur, Gobichettipalayam,
Alukkuli village,
Erode district – 638476,
Tamil Nadu
Phone: 9790039998
Email: bananafibres@yahoo.in , info.braydil@gmail.com
Banana tree generates revenue even after its fruits are harvested! Surprised!! Mr. S. Prasath, an agriculture engineer and passionate researcher from Alukkuli village, Erode district, Tamil Nadu highlights, “Banana fiber extracted from its stem (after harvesting banana) has many agricultural and industrial applications. The fiber when used as agriculture input augments the growth of the plant and increases the productivity by many folds. The fiber is extracted from the banana stem using a machine.”
Mr. Prasath was first introduced to the banana extracting machine 10 years ago at Myrada KVK, Erode demonstration workshop. The machine instantly caught his attention and he was determined to dedicate his time and resources to upgrade the machine. He was not happy with the production capacity of the machine hence was asked by the officials to make the required changes. “I did the required changes and was successful in increasing the production capacity to 100-120 kg fiber production per day,” he adds.
Presently the machine is available in three variations – [a] Single motor with Single operation, [2] Single motor with Double operation and [3] Single motor with Four operations. “The first model requires one labor, second two labors while the third variant needs four labors. Production capacity increases by moving from model one to three and similarly power consumption reduces from model one to three,” he elaborates. These machines are manually operated machine that can run non-stop for 8-9 hours. All varieties of banana can be fed in the machine to extract the fiber. Commonly from one stem 150-200 grams fiber is extracted. In one acre farmland one can approximately procure 1,000-1,500 stems. It takes one month to manufacture one machine.
When asked about the application of banana fiber in agriculture, he responds, “It can be used as an alternative to coir as it is high in protein content. Besides it consists of many essential nutrients required for the growth of plants. Banana fiber has the potential to be used widely in hydroponics or soilless cultivation.” In addition it has more than 10 industrial applications such as Indian currency, cooling pads, roofing sheets, bricks, paper, use-and –throw vessels etc. The by-products of banana fibre extraction that is pith and sap water are also used in farming. Sap water can be used as growth promoter while after composting pith it helps increase the beneficial microorganisms in the soil. Pith is also used for making banana fibre pots and pellets as growth base material for nursery plants.
In order to further increase the banana fiber production Mr. Prasath has crafted fully automatic machine. He says, “The design and drawing of my fully automatic banana extraction machine is ready with me. I wait for the investor or some machine manufacturer to commence the commercial operations.”
The fully automatic banana extraction machine is designed to feed the banana stems through the conveyor. “Quality and quantity of the fiber produced in this machine shall be finest. It would not need any human intervention. One stem would yield 300 gram fiber,” he claims. “This machine will be best in the world in terms of production and productivity.”
India lacks the awareness on benefits of banana fiber application. The potential of the commodity is completely untapped. “Once people realize its benefits we can produce huge quantity. Every year we are exporting close to 3 million metric ton banana fruit so we have the potential of producing one million ton banana fiber. Imagine the revenue we can generate from the same! I wish I am able to get some grant or investor soon to start manufacturing the machine and contribute to our national economy,” he concludes with a hope!
Contact details:
Mr.S.Prasath
No 20, Mahalakshmi Nagar,
Modachur, Gobichettipalayam,
Alukkuli village,
Erode district – 638476,
Tamil Nadu
Phone: 9790039998
Email: bananafibres@yahoo.in , info.braydil@gmail.com