International Journal of Scientific Research and Engineering Development-– Volume 3 Issue 3, May – June 2020 Available at www.ijsred.com ISSN : 2581-7175 ©IJSRED: All Rights are Reserved Page 1053 Trend of Harvesting of Oil Palm Fruit; The Mechanisms, and Challenges Ayodeji Oyedeji * , Ali Umar ** , Laminu Kuburi *** , Israel Apeh **** * Mechanical Engineering Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria Email: oyedejiayodeji@yahoo.com ** Mechanical Engineering Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria Email: umaraliumar@yahoo.co.uk *** Mechanical Engineering Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria Email: kuburi6@gmail.com **** Mechanical Engineering Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria Email: israeloboni@gmail.com Abstract: Demand for oil palm has increased over the years due to increase in population, and an increase in the demand for biofuels as alternative sources of energy. With this increase in demand for oil palms as well as technological advancement comes the different harvesting methods that are being employed. The harvesting methods employed by farmers can be associated with the form of farming carried out; small scale farming or plantation farming. This paper, however, tends to consider the trend in harvesting processes of oil palm over the range of different farming sizes. The harvesting processes identified were the traditional method, manual method, Ckat and Cantas method, harvesting machines and climbing robots. This paper also considered the mechanisms of these various oil palm fresh fruit bunch harvesting processes and the challenges associated with them. It is believed that for there to be a massive improvement in mechanization and industrialization of oil palm, improving the harvesting process is unavoidable. Keywords – Harvesting, Oil Palm, Mechanization, Agriculture RESEARCH ARTICLE OPEN ACCESS