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The “barefoot scientist” Nguyen Kim Chinh and his revolutionary mowing machine. Photo TNO |
At harvest time, revolutionary mowing machines named Kim Chinh busily operate in all fields in Binh Dinh and neighboring provinces. Not many know the machine which could be used for both dry and wet rice fields was invented by a farmer.
Risk-taking
Born in Cat Nhon commune, Phu Cat district, Nguyen Kim Chinh thoroughly understand difficulties of farming. When he grew up, he also earns his living with field work.
Previously, at harvest time his family had to spend lots of time and effort to harvest by hands. Also, each field could be dry or wet depending on the dry or rainy seasons. During the harvest time, therefore, farmers had to spend day and night in their rice fields.
In the 90s saw the invention of agricultural machinery, including mowing machines. The farming has become less harder thanks to agricultural machinery, but farmers were very busy at harvest time.
The mowing machine could only be used in the dry season and stop operating when being used in wet fields. Without mowing machines, the farmers had to use sickles to harvest.
It was very hard for his wife to harvest manually due to her bad health. He, thus, thought of the way how to improve the mowing machine.
He decided to innovate the machine, but he knew nothing about machine and how it works. “It is really difficult, but there is no reason why I have to admit defeat,” he thought. “If I fail, no one’s gonna laugh at me for I have no qualification.”
My neighbors showed compassion for me when knowing my intention, Chinh recalled. “Don’t joke with us!” they said. “You will only waste your money and get worse.”
Despite many difficulties, he was determined to take a risk to help his wife. He disassembled his mowing machine and carefully wrote down their positions in the machine. Chinh then went to workshops to learn something about machinery.
Thanks to his determination, Chinh had some experience in machinery. “I worked day and night at that time,” he said. “Fortunately, I succeeded in inventing a revolutionary mowing machine.”
“How talented he is”
Chinh’s revolutionary mowing machine debuted in 1998. When it operated in the field, many villagers came to see and all admired him for his work.
He’s become well known since then. Many people coming from neighboring provinces also came to order revolutionary mowing machines. Sometimes he had to refuse many orders because of the lack of time.
More than 200 revolutionary mowing machines have been sold in recent years, he said. Farmers nationwide came to buy his machines.
His machines are very simple but really effective. The Intellectual Property Department also granted the certificate of property rights to Chinh, who is now called “barefoot scientist”.
He was really happy for the revolutionary mowing machine proved its effectiveness, helping his wife have much free time. His machine was also displayed nationwide.
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