9 results
Extend Freshness, Expand Opportunities with Cassava Flour! The technology of producing High Quality Cassava Flour (HQCF) and industrial starches is of paramount importance. It addresses the critical issue of rapid spoilage and mold in fresh cassava roots due to their high water content, a significant challenge for farmers in storing or selling their produce. African communities have long relied on various processing methods to extend shelf life and eliminate toxic cyanide compounds. Traditional cassava flour production techniques do not offer substantial market opportunities for smallholder cassava farmers.
Low-cost mechanized drying of cassava using Flash Dryers The technology of "Mechanized Drying of Cassava using Flash Dryers (Pneumatic Dryers)" holds paramount importance in the cassava processing chain. Specifically designed for transforming cassava mash into floury or powdery products, flash dryers stand out for their efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and wide application for solids with low moisture content. Their suitability for producing starch, high-quality cassava flour (HQCF), and powdered fufu has been notably recognized. Flash dryers have been instrumental in revolutionizing cassava processing. They were first successfully tested in the year 2000 by IITA in collaboration with Femtex Starch factory in Lagos, demonstrating promising results. Subsequently, technical support was extended to equipment fabricators in Nigeria, leading to widespread fabrication and utilization of flash dryers for producing HQCF from cassava. Since 2004, the commercial fabrication and installation of flash dryers have expanded not only in Nigeria but also in several other African countries such as Ghana, Tanzania, Madagascar, Malawi, and Zambia. These dryers have been widely adopted and implemented by various projects, government institutions, and private sectors, signifying their pivotal role in enhancing cassava processing for higher value-added products.
Transforming Cassava, Mobile Processing for Sustainable Agriculture The Mobile Cassava Processing Plant (MCPP) addresses challenges in cassava commercialization by providing an alternative to immobile processing factories. The MCPP, developed by the TAAT Cassava Compact, is a six-wheel truck with modern processing machinery, an electricity generator, and a loader crane. It facilitates on-site processing of cassava into shelf-stable products, reducing postharvest losses and transportation costs.
Preserving Quality, Expanding Opportunity: Value Addition for Poultry The “Processing chicken meat for cold storage” technology is a transformative approach to poultry processing in Africa. It addresses the current practice of selling live poultry at markets, which often leads to lower returns for farmers and public health concerns. The technology enables the secondary processing of raw chicken into value-added products and facilitates cold storage, expanding the consumer base and increasing revenue for producers. It caters to the growing demand for ready-to-cook or precooked chicken meat, driven by urbanization, income growth, and heightened awareness of diet and food quality. The technology, accessible to small and medium enterprises, involves mechanized equipment for high-volume processing and refrigeration facilities for long-term storage and transport.
From Catch to Cuisine: Enhancing Fish Quality and Sustainability Fish processing is a vital component of the agricultural sector, ensuring the preservation and value addition of fish products. It plays a crucial role in extending the shelf life, improving taste, and enhancing the nutritional value of fish. Common methods like solar tent dryers and smoking kilns offer cost-effective ways to preserve fish, reducing the need for refrigeration, and enabling the creation of various value-added fish products, ranging from fillets to fish powder, which contribute to food quality and market appeal.
Advanced approach for quick, convenient, and delicious bean "Pre-Cooked Beans for Consumer Convenience" is a food processing technology designed to address the long cooking time, high energy, and water requirements associated with whole dried common beans, which are a major staple food in eastern and southern Africa. This technology involves pre-cooking the beans and then preserving them through methods like canning or freezing. This significantly reduces preparation time and fuel use, making it more appealing to urban and middle-class consumers. It also opens up new commercial opportunities, benefiting both consumers and farmers. The technology is particularly advantageous for women homemakers and canteen caterers, as it frees up time for other activities. The process involves sorting, washing, blanching, soaking, sterilization, and drying of the beans before packaging. The technology can be applied in various agroecologies and is available in several countries in Africa.
Banana and Plantain Processing for a Healthier Diet Value-added processing of bananas and plantains creates valuable products by using both ripe and unripe fruit. This technology produces items like flour, purees, and chips, all with higher market value than raw fruit. Unripe banana or plantain flour finds uses in baking, gluten-free products, and even infant food. Ripe bananas are transformed into purees suitable for beverages, ice cream, and yogurt. Similar to potato chips, banana chips can be produced fried or dried, offering consumers a tasty and convenient snack. This approach not only reduces fruit waste by utilizing both ripe and unripe stages but also creates new markets and higher potential income for farmers. An additional benefit is the improved nutritional profile, with banana flours boasting a richness in fiber, potassium, and resistant starch. The technology is adaptable to both small-scale and industrial production facilities, making it a valuable tool for a variety of stakeholders in the banana and plantain value chain.
Ripening Solutions for Quality and Efficiency The technology of "Induced Ripening of Banana for Increased Marketability and Storage" is of paramount importance in the banana industry. Typically, dessert bananas are harvested prematurely to prevent damage during transportation. This technology allows for the artificial ripening of bananas using various chemical agents, with ethylene gas being the most commonly employed. Commercial ripening chambers are utilized to precisely control temperature, humidity, and ethylene gas concentration, ensuring that bananas reach optimal ripeness. Catalytic generators are used to produce ethylene, and a concentration of 100 ppm for 12 hours can have an immediate ripening effect. Ethephon, another widely used compound, releases ethylene, which aids in the ripening process. This technology not only enhances the marketability of bananas by delivering consistently ripe and attractive fruit but also extends their shelf life. It allows for better inventory management, reduces post-harvest losses, and ultimately benefits the banana industry by meeting consumer demand for high-quality, ready-to-eat bananas. In summary, the induced ripening of bananas is crucial for ensuring marketability and optimizing storage, ultimately driving the success of the banana supply chain.
Produce a premium wheat flour close to production areas The technology of Flour Milling and Blending Systems is crucial for enhancing the value of wheat produced by farmers and traders. It allows the grinding of wheat into flour, enabling its storage for several months and utilization in various food products such as bread, biscuits, cakes, porridges, and pasta. By transitioning from manual to advanced milling and blending systems, these technologies facilitate the production of high-quality wheat flour that meets consumer preferences. The implementation of these systems, available in various sizes from local and international manufacturers, enables the creation of premium flour closer to the production areas. This not only reduces transportation costs but also extends the shelf life of the flour, ensuring better access to local and national markets. Empowering rural communities with milling and blending capabilities promotes increased output, adds value to local products, and enhances the competitiveness of African wheat producers, thereby enabling them to better compete with imported products.