Performance of Several Coconut Coir Peeling Tools for Peeling Efficiency in Coconut Production Centers

In Indonesia, coconuts play a crucial role, and peeling them is essential for their utilization. Traditionally, coconuts were peeled manually using tools like machetes, but with the advancement of technology, machines are now being used to expedite the process. This study evaluated the performance of various coconut peeling machines in coconut production centers. The research methodology employed a combination of observational and descriptive approaches. Each peeling tool, including the traditional lewang, machete, and modern peeling devices, was tested using 150 samples of mature coconuts, ten nuts per trial using each of the three methods, and five replicates. The data collected was organized into tables and graphs to provide a descriptive analysis. The comprehensive study spanned over two months and took place at the Laboratory of the Indonesian Palm Crops Instrument Standard Testing Institute (IPALMSTI), situated in the agricultural lands beneath the coconut trees in the North Minahasa District, North Sulawesi Province, Indonesia. The study's findings revealed that, utilizing a modern coconut coir peeling machine reduced the peeling time significantly to 7.45 seconds, with a successful peeling rate of 241.48 nuts per 30 minutes. It was evident from the results that the optimization of peeling machines can have a substantial impact on productivity. Moreover, there is potential for enhancing the traditional lewang tool through ergonomic improvements or material enhancements to improve its performance. Considering these results, governments should consider providing subsidies to smaller coconut producers to facilitate the adoption of machine peeling tools. This initiative could enhance productivity and create new employment opportunities within the industry. The traditional lewang tool, with an average time of 9.48s, is relatively efficient but can be further improved. Ergonomic enhancements or material upgrades can reduce fatigue and increase speed. Providing ergonomic training for traditional tool users can also enhance efficiency. Governments or organizations can subsidize farmers or smaller producers to adopt machine peeling tools. Future solutions should merge technology with cost-effectiveness to benefit small-scale farmers. Key words: Coconut, peeling machine, coconut coir, agricultural engineering, efficient