the goan I network
OLD GOA
Even as toddy tappers are hard to find to pluck coconuts in Goa, the coconut climbing machine invented by Samson D’Costa could come in handy for those who want to take up coconut plucking as an income generating activity or simply to pluck coconuts by themselves.
D’Costa is currently holding a workshop on coconut climbing at the National Association for the Blind (NAB) branch at Santa Cruz which was thrown open to the public on Monday in the build up to the Muzzganchem Fest which will be held here on February 2.
D’Costa also offered a cheap price for Goans as he said the machine will cost only Rs 4,000.
“Further, Krishi Card holders are entitled to 75 per cent subsidy from the agriculture department if they buy from my company,” he added.
He further informed that he charges Rs 70 per tree to pluck coconuts anywhere in Goa. “I have staff working for me. We charge Rs 70 per tree for plucking coconuts anywhere in Goa,” he stated.
However, even as his machine has been able to sell in countries like USA, Malaysia and Australia, D’Costa is finding it hard to market it in India.
“I concentrated on abroad countries as they show interest if the test certificate is shown, but in India it is only through word of mouth. Nobody relies on test certificate. Whey they look at somebody using the machine then they will buy,” he pointed out.
“To develop rapport in India it was much difficult, so I thought it was much easier to demonstrate in USA and Malaysia where the density of trees is very high. I have done sales in Australia as well,” he informed.
