Cocoa (Theobroma cacao) contributes significantly to Ghana’s GDP and has made Ghana a recognized leader in the cocoa industry. However, there are myriad problems associated with bean quality. One such stems from farmers paying less attention required postharvest activities (fermentation drying) which quality losses. This study investigated effect of duration traditional heap fermentation period different drying methods: solar biomass hybrid dryer (SBHD) sun method (TSDM) on two varieties...

Highlights Equilibrium moisture content models were assessed for shea nuts. The Modified Halsey and Oswin EMC/ERH found to be most appropriate in describing the sorption behavior of Critical storage nuts Sahel region was determined 5.08% 6.68%. study provided a basis developing calibration equation commercially available, hand-held, low-cost meter adoption nut value chain. Abstract. Shea (Vitellaria paradoxa) are prone mold deterioration during post-harvest handling, drying storage....

In the wake of climate change and increasing fossil fuel prices, biofuels are becoming attractive to agricultural dependent economies in sub-Saharan Africa other regions world. This study evaluates energy production potential biomass resources grown on available arable land under two principal scenarios: using 2.5% 5% for crop expansion. Using conservative biofuel yields from crops sub-region, a uncultivated dedicated four traditional Ghana namely maize, cassava, sweet sorghum oil palm could...

In Ghana, smallholder maize farmers continue to serve as the primary contributor production. These farmers, however, still face challenges of access appropriate, effective, and efficient drying systems. They depend on open sun drying, which leads high post-harvest losses. this study, a 500 kg portable column dryer with biomass burner heat source was evaluated using maize. Indicators such rate, efficiency, moisture extraction rate were used assess its technical performance. The economic...

Cold storage is expensive for smallholder farmers and seed processors in developing countries. Smallholder continue to resort traditional methods such as polypropylene (PP) bags maize grain storage. They often dose the grains with chemicals preserve them. However, hermetic have proven provide superior protection during without chemical treatment. With advent of COVID-19 virus which distorted many food systems across continents, stakeholders industry need adopt better reduce post-harvest loss...

Though several maize varieties have been developed and introduced over the years in Ghana, farmers still face challenges of access to quality seed maize. Among major constraint is lack proper drying systems guarantee produced. As most parts Africa, open, on bare ground along shoulders roads a common practice Ghana. In this study, 5-tonne capacity hybrid solar biomass dryer was for food/feed Effect air temperature physiological germination kernels investigated. Maize grains were dried open...

Gasification technology has been proven to be an effective conversion for biomass resources. Despite the existence of gasifier stoves, its utilisation and adaptation not extensive in Ghana mainly due high cost inefficiencies. The paper presents design, fabrication performance analysis inverted downdraft cookstove utilising rice husk as feedstock at laboratory level. Non-continuous was designed a family size five with energy requirement cooking 5,333 kJ/hr. Laboratory test performed determine...

Machine performance modeling and optimization have emerged as crucial steps for process enhancement efficiency. This study explored machine learning to model optimize the cassava grating chamber of grater quality production gari. domain remains unexplored thus far. A total 196 graters were studied. Key variables studied included tooth diameter (TD), height (TH), inter-tooth spacing (ITS), drum speed (DS), clearance (C), moisture content (MC). Geometric mean (GMD) represented mash quality....

In recent years, postharvest loss has been a serious concern. However, knowledge of the mechanical properties is vital to developing any technology for rice production better. The objective this research conduct comparative analysis selected paddy at different variety-moisture content interactions. AGRA rice, CRI-Amankwatia, CRI-Enapa, and CRI-Dartey, four local varieties developed in Ghana, are compared 11.5%, 13.0% 16.5% on wet basis moisture content. Tukey's Honest Significant Difference...

Techno-economic models for optimised utilisation of jatropha oil under an out-grower farming scheme were developed based on different considerations and by-product utilisation. Model 1: Out-grower where is exported press cake utilised compost. 2: with six scenarios considered the by-products. Linear programming outcomes to optimise use through profit maximisation. The findings revealed that 1 was financially viable from processors’ perspective but not farmer at seed price $0.07/kg. All 2...

Performance of a tractor mounted solar-biomass hybrid dryer which utilise combined energy solar and biomass was investigated. Drying behaviour maize grains in the also investigated using 10 thin-layer mathematical models. The models were compared based on coefficient determination (R2) root mean square error (RMSE) values between experimental predicted moisture ratios. Moisture content (MC) reduced from 19 ± 0.86% to 13 0.4% (w.b.) 5 h, dried open-sun reached same MC 15 hours. This resulted...

The performance of an AflaSTOP dryer which utilises biomass energy for drying maize was investigated. behaviour grains in the also investigated using ten (10) thin-layer mathematical models. models were compared based on coefficient determination (R2) and Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) values between experimental predicted moisture ratios. At average air temperature 50°C velocity 2.5 m/s, at content (MC) 17.5% (wb) dried to MC 11.5% three (3) hours. thermal efficiency calculated as 81.1%...

To facilitate effective provision of government support to local fabricators and improve their exposure prospective clients in order boost productivity, it is necessary understand the challenges currently impeding existing businesses as well prospects at play with a view identifying promoting some recommendations suggestions. The study explored status, food processing equipment three regions Ghana: Greater Accra, Ashanti Volta. research generated an updated database fabricators, identified...

The conventional method of grain storage involving the use polypropylene bags in conjunction with pesticides and hermetic are paramount developing countries. However, there is limited information on quality pesticide residue concentration maize stored such bags. This work determined concentrations Maize samples for a period one year were obtained from three major growing communities Ashanti region Ghana analyzed quality, aflatoxin content using standard methods. amount diseased, discolored,...

The solar bubble dryer (SBD) is a convenient and better option to traditional open sun drying commonly practiced by smallholder farmers in Ghana other developing countries. However, operate the SBD, one faced with challenge of frequent mixing grains using rake enhance uniform prevent over-heating top-layer exposed sun. Additionally, condensation SBD can compromise quality during under humid conditions. In present study, Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) was used select an appropriate...

Drawbacks associated with natural convection solar dryers are encouraging the development of low-capacity hybrid drying systems which integrate renewable energy in their operation. However, information on cost-effectiveness such for decision-making by investors is lacking. This study seeks to assess financial and economic feasibility a solar-biomass dryer maize drying. A cost-benefit analysis was done using net present value (NPV), benefit-cost ratio (BCR), internal rate return (IRR) as well...

Maize weevil (Sitophilus zeamais) is an important insect that affect the maize grain on field and in storage. There are several ways of controlling this but most commonly used use chemicals. Although these chemicals very effective, they often expensive not available to poor rural farmers resulting high post-harvest losses their harvested grains. In study, potential using rice husk ash (RHA) as a protectant against during storage was investigated. Cultured weevils were introduced into 400g...

The study assessed the technical performance and economic viability of a 200 kg capacity biomass-powered inclined bed dryer for drying maize. recorded an average air temperature 73.54˚C in plenum, which reduced moisture content from 23.25% (w.b) to 13.61% at time 2 hours 40 minutes. This resulted rate, efficiency, specific energy consumption 9.50 kg/h, 71.37%, 25.70 MJ/kg, respectively. germination potential dried maize grains was 80% compared 93% before drying. Stress-crack analysis...

Traditional design technologies are inadequate to meet the requirements of innovative products due recent diversity in customer (CR), purchase behavior and product sustainability. This paper adopts a novel concurrent multiapproach that integrates Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP), Morphological chart, Quality Function Deployment (FQFD), Theory Inventive Problem Solving (TRIZ) applied for new cassava graters. The result highlighted Performance (0.16289), Reliability (0.10935), final...