Techmart 2005 – The National Technology Equipment Market has recognized the contributions of 15 “farmer inventors.” These “grounded scientists,” who have not received formal training, have astonished the public with their innovative products.
One such product is the “Continuous Coconut Fiber Stripping Machine” developed by a true farmer. He has created several inventions applicable in daily life and production, including a machine for weaving sedge mats, an industrial chicken incubator powered by steam, and soon, a machine for weaving coconut fiber nets. This inventor is Nguyen Ngoc Son from Vinh Tri hamlet, Khanh Thach Tan commune, Mo Cay, Ben Tre.
1. The road to Vinh Tri hamlet is muddy with red soil and dust. From Thom market, one must travel along the Thom River for nearly ten kilometers to reach the base of “grounded scientist” Nguyen Ngoc Son. Although his face is covered in dust, people in the area easily recognize him as Son “Can,” or simply Hai Son, as he is affectionately called by the locals.
Nguyen Ngoc Son and his improved coconut fiber stripping machine.
Born in 1967 in Vinh Long, Son is a Capricorn. After losing his father at a young age, his mother struggled to raise three children, eventually settling in Mo Cay, where they took up coconut fiber stripping.
Son is intelligent, performed relatively well in school, and has a passion for science. However, his academic dreams were interrupted when he failed the entrance exam for the Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (Electronics major) in 1985. Determined to succeed, Son enrolled in a vocational training program for electronics repair. Although he became skilled, the profession could not provide enough income, leading him to work various jobs: a masonry worker, a sedge mat weaver, and a salary officer for the Khanh Thach Tan People’s Committee. Despite his efforts, he continued to face difficulties until 1997, when he began working in coconut fiber stripping.
This profession is common in the Mo Cay and Binh Dai districts of Ben Tre, as well as in some areas of Vinh Long and Tien Giang. The raw material is fresh coconut husks after the fruit has been removed, and the product is handmade nets measuring 20 meters long and 1 meter wide. The coconut fiber stripping season typically runs from April to September each year.
Previously, to separate coconut fiber, people had to use a machine set consisting of two devices from the Ben Tre Agricultural-Mechanical Company, popular since the 1990s. One machine crushed the coconut husk, which was then fed into another machine for stripping, resulting in the final product. Operating these machines required a constant workforce of ten people.
The old coconut fiber stripping machine, which required many workers and lacked safety measures.
To produce one ton of finished coconut fiber, it takes 6 “thien” of raw material (one “thien” equals 1,200 coconut husks). Raw material prices fluctuate between 120,000-600,000 VND per “thien” (approximately 20 VND per coconut husk), while the finished coconut fiber sells for 1.6-4 million VND per ton. The finished coconut fiber is packaged into 50 kg bales for net weaving or export. On average, a stripping machine produces 2 tons of finished coconut fiber daily, with labor costs amounting to 170,000 VND for ten workers for one ton of finished fiber.
2. A turning point transformed Son from a pure farmer into an inventor when a workplace accident threatened his life and family. In mid-2001, his coconut fiber processing facility experienced two consecutive workplace accidents. The accidents occurred when workers carelessly got their feet caught in the stripping machine’s gears. As a result, the Ben Tre Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs proposed revoking his business license due to unsafe working conditions. To continue operating, he needed to implement safety measures.
Faced with this dire situation, at the end of 2001, Son sought the help of an engineer from the Ben Tre Agricultural-Mechanical Company to improve the machine that caused the accidents. After inspecting the machine, the engineer shook his head in defeat. With no other options, Son simultaneously attended welding courses while trying to design and enhance the coconut fiber stripping machine. Using the DT 75 engine, his new machine operated using a conveyor belt system due to improved gears. Instead of using two machines for “crushing” and “stripping,” the improved coconut fiber stripping machine combined both processes into a single unit. Workers only needed to feed the raw material (coconut husk) into the input conveyor. The conveyor would carry the husks into the machine, where the improved gears would crush and strip them simultaneously. The final product would be transported by another conveyor for packaging, while waste and byproducts would be expelled through a separate channel.
Farmers drying and packaging coconut fiber into bales.
The improved coconut fiber stripping machine now uses only 5.5 “thien” of raw material for one ton of finished product. Notably, it only requires four workers to operate, boasting a productivity increase of 1.5 times compared to the old machine. Each ton of finished coconut fiber produced by the improved machine allows workers to earn 80,000 VND per day, while the old machine paid only 35,000 VND. “The cost of the improved machine is 20 million VND. On average, we produce between 4-6 tons of finished coconut fiber daily. Thus, compared to the old machine, the improved coconut fiber stripping machine earns over 200,000 VND more per hour,” Son enthusiastically shared. Since Son invented the “Continuous Coconut Fiber Stripping Machine,” locals have learned from him and transitioned to using the improved machine for its higher productivity, reasonable cost, reduced labor demands, and most importantly, enhanced safety. The new machine does not require workers to stand directly next to it, as a conveyor system automates the material feeding process.
3. Son “Can” has a knack for such innovative “improvements.” In 1988, he creatively developed a “Steam Incubator for Industrial Chicken Eggs.” This machine operates using a thermal induction circuit and features two compartments for egg incubation, rotating the eggs once per hour. At that time, with no electricity, he heated the water tank using oil to maintain the temperature required for hatching. Notably, Son’s incubator includes two alarm systems to signal when the water temperature deviates from the set range, allowing adjustments to be made. Each steam egg incubator can hold 1,000 eggs at a time.
“Why don’t you establish a company or register intellectual property for your inventions?” Son shared his frustrations about the lengthy process of registering copyrights: The time from application submission to receiving a certificate is 24 months, potentially longer if there are issues with the application. If he improved something during that time, he would have to wait even longer, while others might “pick up” on his technology! “But I will definitely register to establish a company to expand into the market!” Son asserted confidently.
Farmer engineer Nguyen Ngoc Son designing at home.
Son showed me the design for the coconut fiber net weaving machine, which he plans to complete in the first quarter of 2006, designed using AutoCAD 3D. He became acquainted with computers only about a year ago through a computer literacy course that awarded him an A certificate in Mo Cay town. After a few days of classes, Son bought a computer to self-learn, discontinuing his class attendance. He purchased various books and magazines on computers to study at home, and the idea for the net weaving machine originated from that knowledge.
The more he learned about computers, the more Son regretted having designed the improved coconut fiber stripping machine entirely by hand. Many details required multiple attempts to perfect, as the drawings did not match reality. Now, he can proficiently use graphic design software to accurately and professionally design mechanical components. Additionally, Son regularly enhances his knowledge by browsing the Internet for information and staying updated with the latest developments.
This rugged, bearded man possesses a commendable spirit of innovation and determination. He refuses to succumb to difficulties, is unafraid of losing face over ignorance, and is willing to dive into learning new things. These traits epitomize Son – a modern farmer of our time!
Article and photos by: Xuan Thuy
