Mechanization of Peppermint Oil Extraction Plant of Rural India

Peppermint leaves have wide medical applications. However, the traditional methods of peppermint oil extraction require high labour and large number of workers. It is least profitable, and post-harvesting method adopted is not safe for workers and farmers. Several surveys are conducted in various districts of Uttar Pradesh States(India) like Bahraich, Barabanki, Ramnagar, Sitapur and Lakhimpur, and the existing problems are compiled in this paper. The complaints of the workers and complications that occur post-harvesting of peppermint leaves to oil extraction are considered. The major problem are the long time taken to fill the drum (boiler) (with the peppermint leaves), the uneasy method of handling the drum, compression of leaves and the hazardous removal of burnt leaves. The paper contains the detailed list of problems and its classification based on the findings during the survey. The old and traditional method is being analysed, and economical suggestions, for farmers of rural India, are given through various proposed models. With the proposed mechanized model, the efficiency of plant can be improved effectively.