Labour Shortage & Automation (Rubber & General)
Problem Statement
The agricultural sector, particularly Rubber cultivation, is facing an acute shortage of skilled labour. Tapping rubber trees requires precision skill to avoid damaging the tree; however, the younger workforce is moving away from farming, and relying on migrant labour is often inconsistent and costly.
Innovation Opportunities
- Create 'de-skilling' tools and affordable robotics. The goal is to mechanize complex tasks (like rubber tapping) so they can be performed by unskilled workers or autonomous machines, ensuring consistency and reducing dependency on a shrinking workforce.
Use Case Example
Concept:
Auto-Tapping Device or 'Smart Tapping Knife'
Scenario:
A rubber plantation owner installs a battery-operated device on trees that automatically taps latex at a pre-set time (e.g., early morning) with perfect depth control, eliminating the need for a skilled tapper to physically visit every tree daily.
