Kerala Agricultural University's novel cocoa bean extractor secures patent

The Kerala Agricultural University has recently secured a patent for its innovative creation - a device crafted to efficiently extract cocoa beans from pods. This apparatus is poised to transform cocoa processing by streamlining manual labour, diminishing worker injuries, boosting productivity, and ensuring premium quality products.

Traditionally, the extraction of cocoa beans from pods has been a cumbersome task, necessitating manual exertion with tools such as machetes or sickles. This manual approach not only consumes considerable time and effort but also damages the beans, resulting in inferior produce unsuitable for fermentation.

The newly patented device comprises a hopper, a metallic roller assembly featuring four sets of rollers, a chute, rotating cylindrical strainers, a frame assembly, prime mover, and pulleys. The metallic roller assembly functions as the inlet for receiving cocoa pods and the outlet for dispensing broken pods and cocoa beans.

As part of the ICAR AICRP project on post-harvest engineering and technology at the Kelappaji College of Engineering and Technology, Tavanur, a dedicated team led by Rajesh G.K., V. Srikanth, and Santhi Mary Mathew spearheaded the research and development of this inventive solution.

In operation, cocoa fruits are manually fed into the breaker unit through the hopper. Precisely calibrated roller gaps ensure that the cocoa beans remain intact during the pod-breaking process. As the strainer rotates, it effectively separates the cocoa beans from the broken pod and placenta, allowing the beans to pass through while retaining the empty pods.

By mechanising the cocoa bean extraction process, this invention not only lightens the load on farmers but also encourages greater involvement in farming activities. It marks a significant stride towards enhancing efficiency and sustainability within the cocoa industry, paving the way for heightened prosperity among cocoa growers and processors.