Scaling Appropriate Technology
Cataloging existing types of grater teeth in Ghana.
Overview
During the past summer (2013) I worked on a 2 person research team investigating means of disseminating and scaling technological innovations in sub-Saharan Africa.. Specifically, we were working with small scale growers in Ghana to improve their post-harvest processing capabilities.
During the past summer (2013) I worked on a 2 person research team investigating means of disseminating and scaling technological innovations in sub-Saharan Africa.. Specifically, we were working with small scale growers in Ghana to improve their post-harvest processing capabilities.
Existing post-harvest graters we catalogued in Ghana.
The Problem
Technologies with proven benefits often do not reach people in need at significant scale, although many examples do exist. We are focusing on standardization of component parts, which is a mechanism for dissemination within and across sectors. Many current approaches within social innovation look at scaling complete products and systems within a specific sector. This common approach has the potential to deliver significant benefit to a few people, while standardization could benefit many more but to a lesser degree.
Technologies with proven benefits often do not reach people in need at significant scale, although many examples do exist. We are focusing on standardization of component parts, which is a mechanism for dissemination within and across sectors. Many current approaches within social innovation look at scaling complete products and systems within a specific sector. This common approach has the potential to deliver significant benefit to a few people, while standardization could benefit many more but to a lesser degree.
Collecting data on the various informal and formal manufacturing capabilities in Ghana.
Our Approach
We have chosen to look at the standardization of grater teeth for post-harvest agricultural processing machines. This component appears to provide an opportunity to increase efficiency and performance relative to existing designs. Initial survey results of cassava processors indicate that the teeth used for grating are not standardized formally. Ease of manufacture of existing designs appears to be prioritized over efficiency, durability and other characteristics. The vast majority of teeth are created manually be a worker perforating a soft plain steel sheet with a hammer and nail in a dense, random pattern.
We have chosen to look at the standardization of grater teeth for post-harvest agricultural processing machines. This component appears to provide an opportunity to increase efficiency and performance relative to existing designs. Initial survey results of cassava processors indicate that the teeth used for grating are not standardized formally. Ease of manufacture of existing designs appears to be prioritized over efficiency, durability and other characteristics. The vast majority of teeth are created manually be a worker perforating a soft plain steel sheet with a hammer and nail in a dense, random pattern.
Production phases involved in making Gari. The technology we are working on aids the grating phase.
We are completing literature reviews of standardization for dissemination at scale and the design and performance of grater teeth. We are also developing an improved design for this component that will be validated through testing and comparison to currently available designs using a self-designed and fabricated test rig. Finally, we will attempt to deploy the new design to test our ideas about standardization and dissemination. Throughout this work we will be working closely with manufacturers of graters and the women who make use of grating services to produce cassava products, such as Gari in Ghana.