The Future of Clove Bud Separation Process

Shine joseph, a passionate farmer engaged in an agriculture related activity since last 25 years. Born and raised in spice growing community, Shine’s affinity for agriculture and local farming practices developed since his childhood. In the pursuit of contributing to spice growing community, Shine noticed a crucial gap in the harvesting process of clove buds.

Traditionally, the separation of clove buds from the stalks is a manual and meticulous process. Harvesters would detach the buds from the stalks by holding a cluster in one hand and pressing it against the palm of the other hand. The utmost care was essential to prevent contamination. Clean hands and a sanitary processing environment are crucial to maintain the quality of the cloves. After separation, stems and buds are dried separately, with the stems often processed for oil distillation. However, this manual method is labor-intensive, requiring around 40 workers to process approximately 600 kg of clove buds in a single day. The entire process is time-consuming, demanding considerable manpower and presenting a challenging task.

In response to these challenges, innovator developed a machine in 2018 to streamline the clove bud separation process. This machine is India’s First Clove Bud Harvester capable of processing 400 kg of cloves per hour. In year 2023 his innovation received recognition at National Innovation Foundation – India’s National Biennial Grassroots Innovation Awards for state of Kerala.

Initially, he designed the machine for personal use, but with support under “Grassroots Innovation Accelerator Program”, he is working towards commercialising it to a broader community.