Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 18 - Kerala's industries department has called for innovative thinkers from across the country to develop a coconut plucking machine and win Rs.1 million as prize money.

Addressing reporters here Tuesday, state Industries Minister Elamaram Kareem said that even though there are a few machines that help a non-professional coconut tree climber go up a coconut tree and pluck ripe coconuts, it has somehow failed to click.

'So we call upon anyone to develop a product that can be used to pluck coconuts standing on the ground. Anyone wanting to go ahead with this should submit a design and if it is approved they will be given Rs.100,000 to develop the product,' said Kareem.

The minister said such a product would become a huge hit because the demand for it would be huge.

The biggest problem facing those who own coconut trees in Kerala is that it is difficult to find a professional coconut tree climber to pluck the ripe coconuts -- an exercise that has to be done once every 45 days.