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Samadangla Ao and Bendangwapang demonstrating the operation of the ACT Rice Thresher to villagers of Mopungchuket in Mokokchung district on September 1.[/caption]
Mokokchung, Sep. 2 (EMN): Two assistant professors from Kohima Science College at Jotsoma, have unveiled a portable manual rice threshing machine that they have invented in Mopungchuket village under Mokokchung district on September 1.
Samadangla Ao, department of botany, and Bendangwapang, department of mathematics, invented the thresher with the aim to mitigate physical stress and time spent during the threshing process.
The machine that they invented is called ‘Agro Compatible Technology Rice Thresher or ACT Rice Thresher.’ The machine is made of locally available materials and is pedal operated with an alternative option for hand operation.
It is especially targeted to serve rural farms where there is no electricity connectivity and does not require fuel to operate. It can be dismantled into separate parts and easy to assemble. This allows for the sharing of a machine among multiple farmers.
“It is introduced to the farmers with the hope that it will cut their labour costs for threshing and save some time to engage in other post-harvest or household activities,” they said.
“Through this introduction, we wish to encourage the local entrepreneurs to recognise the current need for mechanisation of agriculture in Nagaland by developing compatible technology for efficient and improve food production,” they added.
The project was funded by Bendangkokba, commissioner and Secretary of works and housing department, along with contributions by local entrepreneurs Chubanungsang Imsong of M/s C Steel Fabrication, Kohima (metal works), M/s Sagar House, Kohima, M/s Bearing House, Dimapur, and Artain Enterprise Pvt. Ltd., Dimapur.
Two machines were introduced and also demonstrated on assembling and operation of the machine to the villagers.
Chairman of Mopungchuket village council, Aosadang, has thanked Samadangla and Bendangwapang for their work and also conveyed appreciation to the sponsors.
Meanwhile, the two assistant professors said that their project was not for profit or commercial venture. They hoped that farmers and local entrepreneurs would observe their threshing machine and replicate them.
The two assistant professors also conveyed their eagerness to assist any person interested in the product. They informed that interested people can watch their demonstration on YouTube by searching “ACT Rice Thresher Mopungchuket.”
