Local farmer secures design protection for chips cutter

February 24, 2026 10:01 pm | Posted in Business News | Share now TwitterFacebook

The Vanuatu Intellectual Property Office (VanIPO) has granted a Certificate of Registration under the Designs Act No.3 of 2003 to veteran farmer John Morrison Bong for his innovative Steep Flex Chips Cutter (Model No. 001-1024).

The certificate was issued on Monday, 9 February 2026, following thorough examinations by the Designs Officer at VanIPO.

“Mr. Bong, a long-time farmer and horticulture trainer, conceived the idea of creating this chips cutter for more than 50 years,” VanIPO said.

“In 1975, after listening to a BBC radio programme on inventions, he conceptualised the idea of creating the chips cutter. Over the years, he observed that most chips-cutting machines available in Port Vila and Luganville were designed only for potatoes, a crop not widely grown in Vanuatu due to climatic conditions.

“Recognising the abundance of local crops such as sweet potatoes (kumala), white Fijian taro, banana, and wild yam, Mr. Bong developed a cutter capable of slicing a wide range of these root and fruit crops. His aim was to reduce post-harvest losses, promote value addition, and support small-scale food processing for both domestic consumption and potentially export markets.”

After years of refining the concept and conducting practical trials, he successfully produced the final configuration now protected by VanIPO. “The machine includes five adjustable settings that allow users to produce thin slices, thicker chips, longer strips up to 10 centimetres, and cube-shaped pieces,” VanIPO added.

VanIPO said this registration shows that innovation can emerge from rural communities through years of experience and practical knowledge. The office encourages local entrepreneurs, welders, machine fabricators, woodworkers, artisans, tailors, and farmers to protect their product designs before commercialising them.

Design registration protects the visual appearance and configuration of a product, grants exclusive rights to the owner, strengthens business credibility, prevents unauthorised copying, and supports economic growth through innovation.

This registration marks an important step in recognising and protecting locally developed mechanical designs in Vanuatu. The design is protected for 10 years and can be renewed three months before expiry. VanIPO continues to raise awareness of intellectual property rights and assist local innovators in securing legal protection for their creations.