Ndejje University Faculty of Engineering has developed a manually pedal powered groundnut shelling machine aimed at easing stress and cries of small farmers over low productivity and market value for their produce.
According to the information shared on the university’s official website, the Ndejje University fabricated sheller will cost UGX 1,078,000/, a less fee compared to the current market with good shelling efficiencies that value ranging between UGX 550,000 to UGX 1,500,000 for both manual and powered machines.
The university final year students of Bachelor of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering and innovators of the project, Stella Kizanye and Brian Ssemwogerere were optimistic about the work rate of the improved machine dubbed “Made from Ndejje sheller.”
“Farmers have ended up selling unshelled groundnuts that give them very low market value. Now that will be history when the newly fabricated sheller goes on market. And to make it worse most farmers in rural areas have no electricity and therefore cannot use the current market powered shellers,” Kizanye, one of the brains behind this innovation said.
According to Ssemwogerere, local farmers will be able to sell shelled groundnuts and avoid being exploited by money-minded businessmen.
“Once the university embarks on mass production for the local market, farmers will be able to sell shelled groundnuts and avoid being cheated by unscrupulous businessmen. The economic situation of the farmers will consequently be boosted,” ascertained Ssemwogerere.
In Uganda, traditional methods are used for shelling groundnuts which include hitting with sticks on a flat surface and the most common being use of hands. The use of hands is particularly good for the selection of seed for planting the following season as there is less damage to the seeds, thus avoiding fungal infections.
However, shelling groundnuts using this newly developed machine from Ndejje University will save farmers from employing more manpower for the shelling process as well as the time spent.
