SUSTAINABLE MECHANIZATION OF GROUNDNUT DECORTICATION: A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF ENGINEERING INNOVATIONS, PERFORMANCE OPTIMIZATION AND POSTHARVEST LOSS REDUCTION

Abstract

Groundnut is the sixth most important oilseed crop with a wide range of applications in the food, light and chemical industries. In developing countries, the unavailability of post-harvest processing machinery results in the kernel price being twice that of the pod, which is a major challenge to achieve its potential yield. Mechanized shelling is necessary for post-harvest processing and for producing quality products. An effective way to improve the quality of products is by reducing the kernel damage percentage during decortication. Therefore, the research on reducing the kernel damage percentage has a significant effect in mechanized peanut-shelling. Despite the existing technology in Pakistan not compatible with the high-quality shelling requirements of farmers and industry, as Pakistan is the 5^th largest groundnut producer in the world. This review focuses on the transition between manual to mechanized operations such as the use of cost-effective pedal, dual, and motor-operated decorticators. It comprises the influence of design variables such as machine speed, clearance and the moisture content on the machine shelling efficiency and kernel damage percentage. This manuscript also offers a roadmap towards sustainable mechanization by overcoming technical barriers and socio-economic limitations to improve productivity and minimize post-harvest losses. It is expected to provide a reference for effectively reducing kernel damage percentage, improving the quality of shelled kernels and promoting the sustainable development of groundnut decortication.