Development and Performance Evaluation of Guava Harvesting Device

Guava is the fourth most important fruit in terms of area and production after banana, mango and citrus. The traditional harvesting method (manual picking) of guava fruit is a labour intensive, tedious, time consuming as well as risk involved process. Therefore, it was necessary to develop a device that should be simple, motor operated, easy to assemble and disassemble, low cost and light in weight with a proper balance. Considering these facts, a battery powered harvesting device with rotating circular serrated blade cutting mechanism was developed and compared with the traditional harvesting method (manual picking). The developed harvesting device was found suitable at upper level of plant height as compared to manual picking at 5 % significant level. I have developed that harvesting device at ASPEE Agricultural Research and Development Foundation, Mumbai during my PG research work. That developed harvesting device is also being used in other fruits like mango, lemon and working well.