The Simple #Innovation That Is Changing The Lives

Of Coconut Tree Climbers

by Rahul Anand
3 years ago

Appachan was a school dropout but had a great ability to innovate things that could
be used in day to day life. He saw the struggles faced by tree climbers, especially
when it came to climbing the tall coconut or areca nut trees. He decided to solve this
problem by inventing a simple and innovative tree climber that makes the task of
climbing a cake walk.

 NIF Coconut Climber Appachan
dreamitdoitteam

Here is Appacchans story and how he invented this

Kerala, which literally means land of the coconut palm, is synonymous with
breathtaking back waters and coconut trees . Traditionally professional climbers
(thandan) have been engaged by coconut planters for plucking the fruits from the top
of the coconut trees. But with time, the art of tree climbing has lost its lustre and it is
now quite dicult to nd such professional climbers. Late Mr. M. J. Joseph foresaw
this problem and developed an innovative tree climber that makes life easier for the
person.

M. J. Joseph, alias Appachan

M. J. Joseph, also known asAppachan, was a school dropout but he had an innate
ability to be conscious of his surroundings and learn from the environment. He made
some other innovative products like the instrument that could squeeze coconut milk
and juice from fruits. But his most popular innovation is the tree climber.

Mr. Joseph developed this device under the guidance of his father. This tree climber
helps in climbing tall trees like coconut or areca nut trees.


The Device
The Device

The palm climber consists of two metal loops that are meant for holding the legs.
They have a handle at the top for hand grip and a pedal base at the bottom. The loops
are put around the tree trunk on the opposite sides. The loop on either side is lifted up
by the simultaneous movement of the hand and feet. By such alternate motion, one
can easily climb a coconut tree in minutes.

This simple and easy-to-use device to climb up or down coconut palm, arecanut or
other similar trees is handy for people untrained to climb up such tall trees, enabling to
do accomplish the task swiftly and with ease. It can be very useful for even trained
people. They can reduce drudgery, and climb faster using less energy. It can be used
for gathering nuts or spraying pesticides. It can also be used to climb electric poles
with some modications.

Industry Collaboration

Appachan and his tree climber bagged a prize in

the farm implements category in the Second
National Grassroots Technological Innovation and
Traditional Knowledge Competition, organized by
National Innovation Foundation (NIF-India) in the
year 2001-2002. Villagers then started calling him
the local Spiderman.

The utility of this device attracted Kevin Davies, a

distributor of new products in USA, to place an
initial order of 25 units. The device worked
perfectly. I climbed a 40-feet coconut tree very Tree climber designed by Appachan.

quickly and safely. I am impressed, he wrote with

satisfaction. He in fact, offered to be its distributor for North and South America.

Coupled with some basic safety devices like a harness, this device makes climbing up
a straight-trunk tree or a pole quick, easy and safe. The device, with no sophisticated
technology, has not only been well accepted in US, but also achieved a whopping
success back home. Appachan had a workshop, St Marys Engineering Works, where
he used to manufacture tree climbers. While he was alive, NIF-India facilitated sale of
his climber to customers in USA, Maldives, Thailand, Australia, Brazil, Mexico etc., and
is still trying to help his family expand the business.

Inspiration to Innovators

Appachans contribution is not only in inventing this particular tree climber but also in
inspiring a whole lot of people to improvise, innovate and come up with their own
versions of the same. Prominent among them are innovators Mushtaq Ahmad Dar of
Jammu and Kashmir, who has developed a smaller pole-cum-tree-climber and DN
Venkat of Tamil Nadu, who has developed a seating type tree climber.

For Technology Licensing, Technology Transfers or Collaborations, please write to-

bd@nindia.org

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About the Author: Rahul Anand is interested in social innovation, enterprise and social impact.
He is co-founder of Bloodaid

Written by
Rahul Anand

Writer, Researcher interested in social enterprise, innovation, culture and networks. Co-Founder
@BloodAid. Twitter @RahulAnand.