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Godfrey Mwinama

Published on June 06, 2017

Godfrey Mwinama was among the top 25 innovators in the East Africa Postharvest Technology Competition 2017.

Technology : Power Tiller Operated Multi-crop Processor (POMP)

The Power tiller Operated Multi-crop Processor (POMP) is a machine used for maize shelling, cereals threshing, legumes threshing and forage chopping. POMP is bolted on a power tiller trailer to ease transportation, at the same time giving a room for the power tiller to be used for transportation of agricultural produce. POMP separates grains from the rest of the parent materials and winnows the grains. POMP’s sieves are easily removed and interchanged to produce different output effects. The technology is important in saving time as well as providing labor during grain processing. POMP is mobile hence easy to use.

Impact : Since its introduction in 2012, a total of ten POMPs have been sold and supplied to different farmers. In one hour, POMP has the capability of shelling up to 1.5 - 2.5 tonnes of maize, 0.5 – 1 tonne of legumes, 0.2 – 0.5 tonnes of dry forage and upto 0.6 – 1.2 tonnes of other cereals. The technology has been impactful on the reduction of toil and labor during crop processing. Improved grain quality, quantity and safety has been experienced since its introduction. POMP can be used for the number of months in a year depending on where and when crops mature and need to be processed.

Email: gmwinama@gmail.com

 

Sebastian Weston Kyengula

Published on June 06, 2017

Sebastian Weston Kyengula was among the top 25 innovators in the East Africa Postharvest Technology Competition 2017.

Technology : Solar Drier

This is a simple, low-cost technology that uses the heat of the sun to dehydrate perishables, increasing their shelf lives from 2 days to more than 21 days. It offers a standardized and relatively fast drying rate in all seasons. The process involves drying of perishable products and removing the ready ones to create more room for fresh produce from the farm without tampering with the produce that is already in the dryer.

Impact : Developed in 2015, it has been field tested and 4 driers are already serving 50 smallholder farmers in Tanzania. Our technology is light, very simple to operate and is made from locally available material hence cheap.

Email: sebakyengula@gmail.com

John Nkwabi Kirigiti

Published on June 06, 2017

John Nkwabi Kirigiti was the 2nd runners up in the East Africa Postharvest Technology Competition 2017.

Technology : Solar Drier

This is a simple efficient and serviceable technology that uses the energy of the sun and air cycle principle to dehydrate fruits and vegetables with a view of increasing their shelf life.

Impact : Developed in 2009, it has been tested and is in use by farmers across Tanzania. We have received inquiries from the Government of Zanzibar. Our driers reduce the number of drying days from 5 days to 2. This allows the producer to process more produce than before.

Email: nkwabi01@gmail.com

Elipokea Asery

Published on June 06, 2017

Elipokea Asery was among the top 25 innovators in the East Africa Postharvest Technology Competition 2017.

Technology : Indirect Solar Drier for Fruits and Vegetables

The Indirect Solar Drier for Fruits and Vegetables consists of two major parts. The first part is the solar air heater whose upper part is covered by glass to allow the sun rays to penetrate and the bottom part is covered with a black painted stainless steel to absorb the sun’s rays and generate heat. At the base of the solar air heater there is a meshed air inlet vent. The second part of the solar drier is the drying cabinet with a meshed air outlet vent at the top. Inside the drying chamber, there are three plastic trays on which sliced fresh fruits and vegetables to be dried are placed. It reduces the moisture content of fruits and vegetables hence drying them and increasing their shelf life.

Impact : It dries fruits within 24 hours and increases their shelf life without compromising their colour, flavour, taste and nutritional contents. During cloudy days the produce dry slowly, approximately 4 days. Developed in 2015, the technology has been pilot tested amongst 43 farmers at Irindi and Ikuti villages.

Email: elipokeaasery@yahoo.com

Jerry Fred Diaz

Published on June 06, 2017

Jerry Fred Diaz was among the top 25 innovators in the East Africa Postharvest Technology Competition 2017.

Technology : Reservoir Solar Food Dehydrator

The Reservoir Solar Food Dehydrator dries farm products such as fruits, vegetables and cereals to increase their shelf life. It works even when it is cloudy or rainy.

Impact : Developed between 2012 and 2013, different designs have been tested. We had 51 active dryer owners with 75 dryers, selling dried food to us in 2016. The dryer holds 10 to 20 litres of fresh product at a time, dries the product in 1.5 to 2 days, and produces 25 to 80 kg of dried product per month, depending on the product.

Email: jerry.diaz@cheetahdevelopment.org

Lawrence Ojok

Published on June 06, 2017

Lawrence Ojok was among the top 25 innovators in the East Africa Postharvest Technology Competition 2017.

Technology : Bean Thresher

The Bean Thresher is a machine that threshes, winnows and grades legumes. The machine consists of a threshing rotor, tray, blower, a 5.5HP petrol engine and two wheels for mobility. It is operated by two people, one who feeds the hopper and the other who collects the filled container. The machine can produce up to 500kg of grains per hour.

Impact : Produced in 2014, it saves farmers from using the traditional stick for threshing; picking seeds, sweeping and wind winnowing. After the engine is hand cranked, the threshing rotor and the blower are powered simultaneously. By feeding the hopper with the harvest, threshing and winnowing happen at the same time. It was tested as a prototype during the July/2015 harvesting season and July/2016 on beans and pigeon peas. It yields 8kg of grains per minute; approximately 500 kg in one hour.

Email: ojoklaw@gmail.com