Motorized Crop Residue Processing for Animal Feed

Powered Crop Residue Processing for Livestock Feed Enhancement

This technology is a motorized crop residue processing solution designed for animal feed. It addresses the challenge of manual processing of millet and sorghum stem residues, which limits their utilization for livestock. This mobile processor is self-powered, cost-effective, easily transportable, and operated by just two people. It enhances resource efficiency, integrating crop and livestock enterprises. The machine is composed of four main parts, and its throughput capacity ranges from 1 to 1.5 tons of stover per hour.

This technology is TAAT1 validated.

8•8

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

Cost: $$$ 1250-1700 USD/unit

Self-contained stover chopping and crushing machine

10 years

Lifespan

22,000 USD

Production value in 6 months

1,000 - 1,500 USD

Alternative motorized cutters that can handle all types of cereals

IP

Unknown

Problem

Manual processing of millet and sorghum stem residues is time-consuming.
Unutilized residues are often burned, contributing to soil carbon depletion, local air pollution, and unnecessary CO2 emissions.
Traditional feeding methods lead to sub-optimal animal diets and reduced digestion.
Storage and preservation of feed products face difficulties.
Dryland areas in Sub-Saharan Africa experience feed biomass scarcity due to low rainfall.

Solution

Allows for chopping or crushing of residues, ensuring they are used effectively as feed or mulch, reducing wastage and maximizing livestock nutrition.
Provides animals with balanced and digestible diets, leading to improved health and productivity in livestock rearing.
The processed residues produce higher-quality manure, contributing to improved soil health and long-term agricultural sustainability.
Enables efficient compaction of feed materials in bags, improving their flavor and nutritive value.
Particularly beneficial for regions with low rainfall, offering a crucial solution for sustaining livestock in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Key points to design your business plan

For Manufacturers:

Producing this technology offers solutions to address farmers' concerns regarding feed management and livestock nutrition. It can meet the increasing demand in the market for solutions aimed at enhancing feed management and livestock nutrition.

In order to make this venture successful, you need to identify reliable suppliers for manufacturing machines and obtaining the necessary raw materials. Include the cost of transport and any import duties and taxes.

Your potential customer base is: Processing of Animal Feed development projects, and farmers cooperatives or associations.

For Resellers:

Selling this technology not only offers a valuable product but also promotes closer engagement with users, leading to reduced crop residue waste and improved livestock nutrition.

To effectively enter this market, it's essential to identify reliable sources for the equipment (available in countries like Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger and Nigeria), arrange efficient transportation methods, and assess suitable storage facilities.

The cost varies based on the technology's size, with self-contained stover chopping and crushing machines priced between USD 1,250 to USD 1,700, and alternative motorized cutters for handling various cereals ranging from USD 1,000 to USD 1,500 in international markets.

Additionally, consider expenses for transportation, import duties, and taxes.

Your potential customer base includes farmers, development projects, and farmer cooperatives or associations.

For Users:

Using this technology help significantly improve feed management and livestock nutrition.

As key partners you need sellers of crop residue processing of animal feed.

As for cost structure, Self-contained stover chopping and crushing machine costs USD 1,250 to USD 1,700, while alternative motorized cutters range from USD 1,000 to USD 1,500 in international markets.

For optimal results, associate the technology with Dual-purpose Varieties for Crop and Livestock Integration.

Adults 18 and over: Positive high

The poor: Positive medium

Under 18: Positive low

Women: Positive high

Climate adaptability: Highly adaptable

Farmer climate change readiness: Significant improvement

Biodiversity: No impact on biodiversity

Carbon footprint: Much less carbon released

Environmental health: Greatly improves environmental health

Soil quality: Does not affect soil health and fertility

Countries with a green colour: Tested & adopted
Countries with a bright green colour: Adopted
Countries with a yellow colour: Tested

Countries where the technology has been tested and adopted
Country	Tested	Adopted
Burkina Faso	–Not tested	Adopted
Ethiopia	–Not tested	Adopted
Mali	–Not tested	Adopted
Niger	–Not tested	Adopted
Nigeria	–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.

Goal 2: zero hunger

Goal 13: climate action

Goal 15: life on land

Transport and Setup: Easily move the mobile processor between fields using a donkey cart or motorbike. Ensure the machine is properly positioned and stabilized.
Loading and Processing: Collect the crop residues from the field and feed them into the machine. Ensure a steady supply to maintain consistent processing.
Operational Checks: Regularly inspect engine oil levels and moving parts to prevent clogs or damage. This ensures the machine operates efficiently.
Adjustment for Desired Output: Fine-tune settings based on the desired size of feed material. This may involve modifying the size, number, and positioning of hammers for optimal operation.
Monitoring and Maintenance: Train operators in routine maintenance and safety practices to keep running costs low and prevent physical injuries.
Ensuring Uniform Processing: Ensure that the top and bottom rollers are functioning properly, turning in opposite directions to maintain a steady flow of stover through the machine.
Crushing Process: After chopping, materials enter the crushing chamber where hammers mounted on a rotating shaft revolve at high speed. Material is further ground through the beating action of the hammers.
Sizing and Screening: Material is pushed forward by the motion inside the chamber and passes through holes in an adjustable screen to achieve the desired size.
Collecting Processed Material: Gather the processed feed material and store it appropriately for feeding or mulching purposes.
Safety Measures: Educate operators on safety protocols to prevent accidents and ensure the technology is used efficiently and effectively