Wed Dec 04 18:47:28 UTC 2024: ## Erode Engineering Students Develop Automated Palm Jaggery Machine to Empower Rural Women
**ERODE, Tamil Nadu, December 5, 2024** – Four engineering students from Erode Sengunthar Engineering College have developed a low-cost, automated palm jaggery production machine aimed at empowering rural women. The IoT-based machine, built for approximately ₹65,000, utilizes ultrasonic sensors, Arduino boards, and servo motors to control heating, flame levels, and cooling, streamlining the traditionally labor-intensive process.
The students, under the guidance of Associate Professor E.L. Devipriya, designed the machine to address the physical strain and time commitment associated with manual palm jaggery production. By automating key steps, the machine aims to reduce the burden on women, allowing them to pursue additional income-generating activities and improve their overall well-being.
The project seeks funding from the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises and the Tamil Nadu State Council for Science and Technology to further develop the prototype. College principal V. Venkatachalam and Head of Department Thiruvenkatasuresh have praised the students’ innovative solution. The machine is seen as a significant step towards improving the livelihoods of rural women and boosting the local economy.
First Piper 