Prepared by: Dr. Peter Tumutegyereize (PhD)- CAES, Dr. Julia Kigozi (PhD)- CAES, Mr. Isaac Oluk- Badaye Tech Ltd, Mr. Ismael Mayanja- UC, Davis (USA), Mr. Wilber Akatuhurira- CAES, Mr. Thomas Buyinza – ISU-UP, Ms. Maureen Mbeiza -ISU-UP, September 2020
Post-harvest handling processes such as drying, threshing, and storage have progressed among small scale farmers in developing countries. However, there is still a lag in technology interventions addressing cleaning. It is uncertain whether this lag is attributed to technology access or the unnecessity for cereal and pulse cleaning technology. This work assessed the effect of access on the use of improved cleaning technologies for seeds as compared to drying, threshing, and storage technologies among key farmers in Kamuli district, Uganda. Challenges and opportunities to access and use postharvest handling technologies were taken into consideration. A needs’ assessment survey in postharvest handling technologies was done. Pre-set questionnaires were administered in face to face interviews to 200 farmers who had been purposively selected. This was followed by developing five pedal-operated seed cleaners (PoSCleaner) that were distributed to five farmer groups, but positioned at host farmers’ residences based on intermediated technology use and technology acceptance approach. Findings suggest that ownership, awareness, and distance, which are measures of technology access, influence technology use to a greater extent. There is a maximum distance which farmers with quantities of produce for cleaning may not go beyond to access the services of the available improved cleaning technology in the area. Irrespective of the positioning of the cleaners limiting their flexibility in terms of movement from one household to another, produce cleaning using the improved machine was found necessary given that farmers with 200-800 kg of produce for cleaning endured to push it on bicycles to and from, over a total distance of 3-4 km to access and use. Capitalizing on this maximum distance, farmers can access and use technologies expensive for them to own, if positioned within a radius of 1km. This would improve timely unit operations, reduce postharvest handling losses and exposure to dust during cleaning. Pedal-Operated Seed Cleaner Project Report
