Design and Performance Evaluation of a Manually Operated Cassava Peeling Machine for Rural Processors in Benue State

This study focuses on the design, fabrication, and performance evaluation of a manually operated cassava peeling machine suitable for small-scale rural processors in Benue State, North Central Nigeria. Cassava peeling is one of the most labour-intensive and time-consuming stages in cassava processing, predominantly performed by women using hand tools in rural communities. The high peeling time and injury risk associated with traditional manual methods reduce processing efficiency and limit the economic viability of small-scale cassava enterprises. This study adopts an engineering design methodology, developing a prototype cassava peeling machine using locally available mild steel, rubber rollers, and adjustable frame components. The machine is designed to accommodate variable tuber sizes common in Benue State cassava varieties. Performance tests are conducted using fresh cassava tubers sourced from farms in Makurdi and Gboko local government areas. Evaluation parameters include peeling efficiency, peeling loss, throughput capacity, and power requirement. Findings reveal that the fabricated machine achieves a peeling efficiency of 78 percent, a throughput capacity of 45 kilograms per hour, and a peeling loss of 12 percent, representing a significant improvement over the average manual peeling efficiency of 51 percent measured under controlled conditions. The machine is operable without electricity, making it suitable for rural off-grid communities. The study concludes that the designed machine offers a practical, affordable mechanisation solution for rural cassava processors. It recommends further design optimisation to reduce peeling losses and improve surface finish quality.

Keywords: cassava peeling machine, rural processing, design, Benue State, mechanisation.