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https://e-catalogs.taat-africa.org/com/technologies/mechanized-threshing-operations
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Mechanized Threshing Operations

Efficient Threshing for Productive Farms

Mechanized threshers are portable machines with a feed chute, internal spinning drum, and blower. They efficiently separate seeds from crop residues. These machines are powered by small petrol engines and can process seeds and grain much faster than traditional methods.

2

This technology is TAAT1 validated.

8•8

Scaling readiness: idea maturity 8/9; level of use 8/9

50 %

Threshing cost reduced

225 kg per hour

Maize processing

IP

No formal IP rights

Problem

  1. Labor-Intensive Manual Threshing: Physically demanding, time-consuming task, often done by women and youth, diverting valuable labor. Leads to fatigue, reduced productivity, limits opportunities, and potential physical strain.
  2. Inefficiency in Seed Separation: Manual threshing can lead to inefficient seed separation, affecting seed and crop quality. Reduces seed quality, impacting crop yields and agricultural productivity. Lowers market value, affecting farmers' income.
  3. Time-Consuming Process: Manual threshing takes significant time and effort, especially on a large scale. Diverts time from critical farming tasks, leading to potential delays and reduced productivity. Results in economic losses due to delayed operations for farmers.

Solution

  1. Mechanized Threshers Reduce Labor-Intensive Threshing: Mechanized threshers replace manual labor, reducing physical strain and labor intensity. They also free up time for more productive tasks, providing opportunities for women and youth.

  2. Efficient Seed Separation with Mechanized Threshers: Mechanized threshers efficiently separate seeds from crop residues, ensuring high-quality seeds. This enhances seed quality, increases market value, and improves overall productivity.

  3. Rapid Processing for Time Efficiency: Mechanized threshing is much faster than manual methods, saving valuable time during harvest. This boosts overall productivity, allows focus on critical tasks, and potentially increases economic returns.

Key points to design your business plan

The Mechanized threshing operations technology may be of interest to fleet managers, and users (farmers).

Fleet managers

Introducing mechanized threshing operations to the agricultural sector can substantially reduce harvest losses commonly experienced. To effectively enter this market and integrate this technology into your operations, consider the following steps:

  • Source the equipment from countries known for manufacturing or distributing mechanized threshers, such as Cameroon, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Burundi, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria, Senegal, Malawi, and Zimbabwe.
  • Identify efficient transportation methods and suitable storage facilities for the equipment to ensure timely delivery and proper storage upon arrival.

Determine the cost of the technology based on the size and specifications of the threshers required for your operations. Factor in additional expenses such as transportation costs, import duties, and taxes to accurately assess the total investment.

Enhance fleet management by utilizing tools like the Hello Tracteur app, which is available for free on the App Store. This app can help optimize operational efficiency by providing detailed reports and insights for precise adjustments in fleet management.

Target potential customers including farmers, development projects, and farmers' cooperatives or associations to promote the adoption of mechanized threshing technology. Highlight the benefits of reduced harvest losses and increased efficiency to attract interest and investment in the technology.

Users

Implementing mechanized threshing operations technology offers substantial benefits and improvements to agricultural practices. 

To maximize its potential, key partnerships with sellers or fleet managers of mechanized threshing operations are essential.

When evaluating the cost structure, it's important to note that Operators charge 10 USD per hour and are able to process up to 225 kg of maize or 280 kg of beans per hour, claiming to relieve households of 40 hours of drudgery per acre of harvest. 

Consider additional expenses such as delivery costs, import duties, and taxes, particularly since the technology may be sourced from countries like Cameroon, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Burundi, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria, Senegal, Malawi, and Zimbabwe.

Adults 18 and over: Positive high

The poor: Positive low

Under 18: Positive medium

Women: Positive high

Climate adaptability: Highly adaptable

Farmer climate change readiness: Significant improvement

Biodiversity: Harms biodiversity

Carbon footprint: More carbon released

Environmental health: Not verified

Countries with a green colour
Tested & adopted
Countries with a bright green colour
Adopted
Countries with a yellow colour
Tested
Egypt Equatorial Guinea Ethiopia Algeria Angola Benin Botswana Burundi Burkina Faso Democratic Republic of the Congo Djibouti Côte d’Ivoire Eritrea Gabon Gambia Ghana Guinea Guinea-Bissau Cameroon Kenya Libya Liberia Madagascar Mali Malawi Morocco Mauritania Mozambique Namibia Niger Nigeria Republic of the Congo Rwanda Zambia Senegal Sierra Leone Zimbabwe Somalia South Sudan Sudan South Africa Eswatini Tanzania Togo Tunisia Chad Uganda Western Sahara Central African Republic Lesotho
Countries where the technology has been tested and adopted
Country Tested Adopted
Benin Not tested Adopted
Burundi Not tested Adopted
Cameroon Not tested Adopted
Central African Republic Not tested Adopted
Côte d’Ivoire Not tested Adopted
Democratic Republic of the Congo Not tested Adopted
Ethiopia Not tested Adopted
Kenya Not tested Adopted
Malawi Not tested Adopted
Nigeria Not tested Adopted
Rwanda Not tested Adopted
Senegal Not tested Adopted
South Sudan Not tested Adopted
Tanzania Not tested Adopted
Uganda Not tested Adopted
Zimbabwe Not tested Adopted

This technology can be used in the colored agro-ecological zones. Any zones shown in white are not suitable for this technology.

Agro-ecological zones where this technology can be used
AEZ Subtropic - warm Subtropic - cool Tropic - warm Tropic - cool
Arid
Semiarid
Subhumid
Humid

Source: HarvestChoice/IFPRI 2009

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals that are applicable to this technology.

Sustainable Development Goal 1: no poverty
Goal 1: no poverty
Sustainable Development Goal 2: zero hunger
Goal 2: zero hunger
Sustainable Development Goal 5: gender equality
Goal 5: gender equality
Sustainable Development Goal 8: decent work and economic growth
Goal 8: decent work and economic growth

  1. Setup: Place thresher on a level surface near harvest piles.

  2. Preparation: Ensure dry harvest materials.

  3. Feeding: Feed materials into the machine's chute.

  4. Separation: Seeds separate from residues.

  5. Winnowing: Blower removes finer materials.

  6. Collection: Cleaned seeds are bagged.

  7. Safety: Never put hands/tools in chute.

  8. Maintenance: Clean before moving.

  9. Transport: Mount on motorcycle if needed.

  10. Training: Train operators for safe use.

Last updated on 22 May 2024