The IITA-led Zero Hunger Project’s partnership with FGN/IFAD-VCDP is already yielding commendable results with the local production and installation of a complete stainless steel versatile wet hammer mill machine at the FGN/IFAD-VCDP Assisted Cassava Processing Centre in Kwande Local Government Area, Benue State. The team carried out the installation during a five-day capacity development event held at UDECO Fabrication Workshop, Makurdi.
The intensive training involved 12 youth (including women) from three companies across the State. They learned how to source materials and fabricate the wet hammer mill using stainless steel. This innovation was developed to enhance cassava processing and can process fresh cassava tubers and dry cassava chips for food and cassava peel for animal feed.
The trainees successfully and satisfactorily fabricated the mill under supervision from IITA Post-Harvest Specialist Peter Kolawole. Compared to the previously used grater, which would ideally grate 2 tons of cassava per hour, the wet hammer mill is more durable and efficient, processing 4 tons per hour under the same conditions.