Fabrication of a Portable Groundnut Decorticating Machine for Domestic Purpose

Abstract

Groundnut is one of the important oil seed crops cultivated in India. India ranks first in groundnut area under cultivation and is the second largest producer in the world with 101 lakh tones with productivity of 1863 kg per hectare in 2021-22.Groundnut cultivation in India is done by small-scale farmers and is the predominant dryland crop. In the beginning, the peanuts were separated from their shells by the workers and the output from this method was much less and could not satisfy the market demand as it was a very time-consuming process. It is a time-consuming and tedious operation. Hence, a portablegroundnut decorticating machine is designed and fabricated which is small in size, easy to carry anywhere, and very easy to operate (at any time). This is more useful for domestic purposes such as households, hotels, and restaurants. This paper describes about the design and fabrication of various components of a hand-operated groundnut decorticator. Small farmers or business men can start businesses by investing less capital. The output is about40-42 kg/hour, shelling time taken 1.5 min/kg, and with a high cost-benefit ratio of 1:28.6. The machine is also lightweight and easy to operate and maintain, the spare parts are also available locally. Maintenance is very easy, purchase cost is low, and highly economical in use. No electric power or diesel or skill knowledge is required. The shelling operation can be done by women at anytime by accommodating in the house itself. Small and marginal farmers can use regular shelling for the sowing of groundnut. This is a convenient equipment and can be used at any time(during day time or night time) based on their convenience. Not much labor is required and one person can manage the decortication process it is cost effective also.