Kuala lumpur: What began as a practical solution to make plantation work easier has evolved into an innovative portable coconut husking tool created by a local entrepreneur, with the potential to be commercialised and marketed internationally. Coconut plantation owner Che Adnan Che Kadir, 56, said he hopes his invention will benefit coconut growers, the coconut milk industry, small-scale entrepreneurs and the general public before eventually becoming a Malaysian-made product capable of competing in global markets.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Che Adnan stated, "My goal is not merely to create a tool for my own use, but to develop a locally made product that can benefit coconut growers, the coconut milk industry, small entrepreneurs and the public. If it can be commercialised, I want this innovation to become a Malaysian-made product that is competitive at both the national and international levels." He shared that the idea for the invention stemmed from concerns over workplace accidents involving workers using machetes, as well as the need to improve efficiency amid rising production of mature coconuts.
The first prototype of the tool was constructed using discarded metal, bearings, mechanical components (shafts), and recycled materials before being refined through welding work to produce a more effective husking blade. "This innovation reduces the time needed to process a coconut from two to three minutes manually to about one minute. Skilled workers can complete the task in as little as 40 to 45 seconds. This means that within an hour, a worker can process between 50 and 60 coconuts, depending on their size and variety, without requiring additional manpower," he explained.
Che Adnan emphasized the portability of the tool, which weighs about 3.5 kilogrammes, allowing coconuts to be husked directly in the plantation before being transported to buyers, thus helping to reduce transportation costs. He noted that the device also permits users to control the depth of the husking process so that part of the husk remains attached to the coconut, aiding in preserving freshness and extending shelf life according to wholesalers' requirements.
The production cost of each unit is estimated at between RM150 and RM180. The design is set to undergo further enhancements, including features such as an electric motor system, a foot-operated switch, adjustable husking blades, and a foldable design to improve safety and user-friendliness. Despite being at the prototype stage, the tool has already been utilized by a coconut trader in Kampung Limau Purut and has piqued the interest of over 20 entrepreneurs.
To advance his goal of commercialising the invention, Che Adnan plans to seek assistance from the Malaysian Technology Development Corporation and the Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry (MOSTI) to refine the design, secure intellectual property protection, and register a patent. He hopes that support from these agencies will help transform the innovation into a Malaysian-branded product capable of penetrating export markets, while also bolstering the development of the downstream coconut industry and enhancing the country's agri-food ecosystem.