In Karnataka, a senior citizen developed the Areca Bike to solve tree climbing challenges, reducing labor costs by 20%.

Ganapathi Bhat, a graduate in agricultural science from Komale village near Mangaluru, Karnataka, began cultivating areca nut and coconut on his 14-acre ancestral land in 1991. However, over the years, his income began to decline due to challenges in his farming operations. The turning point came in 2017 when his annual income halved. After analyzing the situation, he identified that the unreliable labor force and inconsistent tree maintenance were the key factors behind the decline in his produce.

The lack of reliable labor and delayed tree care were major contributors to the poor harvests. Ganapathi Bhat explained, the absence of workers negatively impacted the timely application of pesticides, which is crucial for the crops. Moreover, the cost of labor had skyrocketed. Each worker charged Rs 2,000 per day, meaning Ganapathi was spending Rs 8,000 for just four days of work. This added financial strain was another challenge he faced in maintaining his farm.

Faced with these challenges, Ganapathi Bhat developed an innovative solution: the Areca Bike. This machine, capable of climbing 84-meter-tall areca nut trees in just 30 seconds, was designed to ease the labor-intensive task of tree climbing. The compact and user-friendly bike significantly reduced the need for manual labor, cutting his expenses by 20%. In a selfless move, Ganapathi has sold 700 of these bikes at manufacturing cost, not seeking any profit from them, to help other farmers facing similar struggles.

Collaborative Efforts and a Smart Plan Lead to Innovation

Driven by modern science, Ganapathi Bhat teamed up with his friend Sharvin Maben, a mechanic, to create a machine capable of cutting, spraying pesticides, and climbing areca nut trees. After a year of development and two more years of refinement, they designed the Areca Bike in 2020. Weighing 28 kg, it can carry 80 kg, climb 90 trees with one liter of fuel, and costs Rs 59,000. With a one-year guarantee, the bike features a two-cycle motor, hydraulic disc brakes, and double safeguards, making it a highly functional solution for farmers.

During the development of the Areca Bike, Ganapathi faced numerous challenges, including tire skidding, which made the venture high-risk. The tires he initially used did not provide a solid grip, and their grooves were not suitable for clinging to the tree branches. As a result, Ganapathi fell at least eight times during his tests. The weight of the bike rested entirely on his shoulders, and the falls led to bruises and injuries.

He recalls one incident where he nearly broke his knee, prompting him to call for an ambulance in advance. Every time I began my tests, my daughter Supriya would call emergency services, he said. After experimenting with 18 different types of tires, Ganapathi finally found a molded tire that worked effectively, resolving the issue.

Areca Bike as a revolutionary tool

Ganapathi Bhat explains that the Areca Bike operates using a unique system of two tires and a roller that work together to grip the areca nut tree trunk. Positioned beneath the operator small chair is a fuel tank, and by pulling a lever, the operator can control both the speed and the brakes of the bike. The design allows the bike to carry the weight of the trunk without requiring any manual effort from the rider. Hydraulic brakes further enhance safety.

The Areca Bike can scale a tree in just a few seconds, unlike traditional methods, where it would take a person 5 to 8 minutes to climb. Not only is the bike efficient, but it is also mobile, offering farmers a versatile solution. By reducing labor and cutting down on the time required for tasks like pruning, the Areca Bike allows one person to do the work of four, making it a cost-effective and labor saving innovation for farmers.

Ganapathi Bhat is now receiving international inquiries from countries like Singapore, Malaysia, and others, and has already approved the delivery of the Areca Bike to these locations. Impressively, even women can comfortably ride the motorbike up trees, expanding its accessibility to a wider group of farmers.

Looking ahead, Ganapathi plans to further improve the bike, aiming to make it capable of ascending coconut trees as well. His innovative design has attracted interest from several companies who are eager to collaborate on manufacturing the equipment.

Ganapathi Bhat now earns Rs 30 lakh annually from selling areca nuts, with Rs 20 lakh of that amount being profit. I save about 20 percent of the labor expenses, which directly adds to my profits, he says.

Supriya, Ganapathis daughter, has also become a user of the Areca Bike, particularly when labourer are unavailable. The machine does not have any gender or age limitations. Anyone can ride it. Initially, I was hesitant to use the bike, but over time, I became comfortable, she shares.

Supriya is proud of her father innovation and its impact on the farming community. I never learned to climb an areca nut tree, but with this bike, anyone can. It also opens up opportunities for people without prior experience to start earning an income, she adds.

Ganapathis goal is to help farmers across the country, particularly those struggling with labor shortages, by providing an efficient solution for tasks like harvesting and pesticide spraying. After a video demonstration of the bike went viral, about 2,000 people visited his farm to see the bike in action, further solidifying its impact and demand.

For more information on the Areca Bike or to place an order, Ganapathi Bhat can be reached at +91 96327 74159.

Edited by Gayathri