Part I OF I Tamil Nadu.pmd - National Innovation Foundation

PART I : INNOVATIONS FROM TAMIL NADU
16
Palm/coconut leaf weaving machine
T S Pasupathy Marthandan, a farmer, has devised a mat-making machine that serves to
reduce the drudgery of workers in the mat-making industry. This low cost machine, which
may be operated by handle or pedal, can be adjusted for either crisscross knitting or V-
shaped knitting and the mats turned out may be used for packing items such as fish,
matches and jaggery. With minor modifications this machine can also be used for korai
pai weaving (korai pai is a mat traditionally used as mattress).
The mat-making machine comprises a frame, two palm-leaf folders, a roller, a crosspave
section and two pedal levers. It enables a skilled operator along with an unskilled
person to produce about six mats of the size 2x4 feet in one hour. With a capital investment
of about Rs 10,000 and a working capital of about Rs 2,500 required for the raw material
of leaves, one can earn a net income of about Rs 75 per day (this earning is calculated
after deducting interests on capital, rent, maintenance, sales commission, etc.). With
manual mat making one can barely earn Rs 25 a day. This machine means increased
productivity and revenue for those engaged in weaving mats from leaves; this also equips
them to compete with the manufacturers of cheaper plastic mats. He has also developed
a leaf splicer, which binds leaves in thin strips required for weaving mats. He received a
National award in NIF’s Second National Competition for Grassroots Innovations and
Traditional Knowledge Practices in 2002.
T S Pasupathy
Marthandan
Tirunelveli
TAMIL NADU INNOVATES 27