Ngo Quang Ngoc, a farmer in Binh Phuoc Province’s Bu Dop District (Vietnam), has invented a cashew nut-shelling machine that can do the work of 30 people. The machine, which took Ngoc nearly six years of research to perfect, can process 300 kilogrammes an hour, using just 1.5 litres of petrol. It costs just VND10 million (US$505) and is likely to reduce with scale. "I was determined to study the working [of the machine] after watching my family and neighbours work very hard to shell cashew nuts for many years," Ngoc says.
"I needed six years to make it because I only had a few hours a day to work on the machine besides earning my family’s livelihood. I also did not have the technical knowledge or funds," he recalls. His invention has interested many local cashew farmers. "Most of the machine’s parts are cheap and easy to buy. It is also very easy to use," Ngoc says.
Ngoc has not registered his invention for a patent, saying he does not know how to do it.
Ngoc is one of possibly hundreds of farmers who share a passion for making useful farm machines. But most of them find it difficult to manufacture and market their inventions. Nguyen Thanh Dien of An Giang Province has invented two kinds of agricultural machinery: rice shoveller and insecticide spraying machine. "We have sold 70 machines in An Giang and neighbouring provinces. Because of lack of capital we manufacture the machine only when we receive an order," Dien explains. "We ask buyers to pay us 50 per cent in advance. We only have enough money to remain in business but not to develop it."
Dinh Duc Tho, a farmer in Tra Vinh Province who has developed a simple and durable television antenna favoured by many locals, faces a similar situation. "[We] cannot supply enough products to the market since we do not have the capital to expand our business," Tho says. "I once applied for a preferential Government loan but I did not have property for use as collateral."
"I needed six years to make it because I only had a few hours a day to work on the machine besides earning my family’s livelihood. I also did not have the technical knowledge or funds," he recalls. His invention has interested many local cashew farmers. "Most of the machine’s parts are cheap and easy to buy. It is also very easy to use," Ngoc says.
Ngoc has not registered his invention for a patent, saying he does not know how to do it.
Ngoc is one of possibly hundreds of farmers who share a passion for making useful farm machines. But most of them find it difficult to manufacture and market their inventions. Nguyen Thanh Dien of An Giang Province has invented two kinds of agricultural machinery: rice shoveller and insecticide spraying machine. "We have sold 70 machines in An Giang and neighbouring provinces. Because of lack of capital we manufacture the machine only when we receive an order," Dien explains. "We ask buyers to pay us 50 per cent in advance. We only have enough money to remain in business but not to develop it."
Dinh Duc Tho, a farmer in Tra Vinh Province who has developed a simple and durable television antenna favoured by many locals, faces a similar situation. "[We] cannot supply enough products to the market since we do not have the capital to expand our business," Tho says. "I once applied for a preferential Government loan but I did not have property for use as collateral."
Comentários