Abstract
This study analyses the design of a simple, efficient, cheap and affordable cassava uprooting device for local cassava growing farmers. Processes involved in uprooting cassava were found out from local farmers, studied and mechanized using bevel gears, cams and followers, chain and sprockets. The principle of moments was used as a basis for the design. The effort applied by the foot of the operator is significantly magnified to overcome the load (cassava in the ground) at the extreme end of the device .The free body diagram of the frame helped to determine the average force needed to press the pedal by the foot. From the analysis, a little effort of 334.49 N can overcome about 2000 N of force and this gives a mechanical advantage of about 6. The bending moment diagram and the shear force diagrams helped to determine the part of the device which is subjected to greater force and where shear and bending can easily take place. Mild steel is used as the material for the device because it is cheap and easily available. Advantages of this design include faster uprooting with high productivity, less energy expended, reduction in the risk of health hazards of developing blisters in the palms, callus palms, arched spinal cord and waste pains over time.
Highlights
Cassava (Manihot esculenta), called yuca or manioc, a woody shrub of the Euphorbiaceae native to South America, is extensively cultivated as an annual crop in tropical and subtropical regions for its edible starchy tuberous root, a major source of carbohydrates
Cassava as a food crop could plays a vital role in the food security of the world because of its capacity to yield under marginal soil conditions and its tolerance to drought
Cassava originated in South America, where its tubers have been used throughout the ages as a basic food; from there it spread to regions of the world
Summary
Cassava (Manihot esculenta), called yuca or manioc, a woody shrub of the Euphorbiaceae (spurge family) native to South America, is extensively cultivated as an annual crop in tropical and subtropical regions for its edible starchy tuberous root, a major source of carbohydrates. Cassava (Manihot esculenta) belongs to the group of Carbohydrates, a major source of calories and a staple food for millions of people over the world and Ghana in particular as it is processed into flour, starch, snacks baked foods, fufu and banku which are local delicacies. Maize was Africa’s most important food crop, maize production in Africa is risky due to unpredictable rainfall and it is not financially feasible to depend on irrigation. For this reason and perceived others, Cassava (Manihot esculenta, Crantz) became the most important food crop in Africa.
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