Mechanisation of small grain processing to enhance quality and markets for value added small grains

PELUM Zimbabwe Member, FACHIG is working with smallholder farmers in Rushinga to promote the growing of small grains. The small grains processing machines can handle sorghum, finger millet and pearl millet. The cleaner/grader machine was manufactured locally while the snack maker was originally imported from China and then modified. Operation of the machinery however, needs properly trained people as the machines require very good maintenance practices. Photo: FACHIG

Many smallholder farmers in Zimbabwe have turned their backs on small grains. They now favour growing maize because it is less labour intensive, easy to process and has a ready market. This is not so for small grains despite their health benefits and resistance to the changing climate.

Otillia Make (54) is a smallholder farmer working with PELUM Zimbabwe Member, Farmers' Association of Community self-Help Investment Groups (FACHIG). She lives in Rushinga located approximately 255 Km from Zimbabwe’s capital, Harare. Otillia grows finger millet, pearl millet, and sorghum (among other crops) on approximately 4.5 hectares.

Otillia says she tried doing value addition for small gains but this did not give her a good return on investment.

“The main challenge we face as farmers when it comes to value addition is on market access. I used to make different products to sell wherever people gathered but outside of gatherings I found it difficult to sell. I could not afford transport to travel to places where there was a larger market,” says Otillia.

This dampened Otillia’s spirit but it was not the only reason why she stopped value addition of small grains for the market.

“The other problem we faced is that the products are homemade using traditional processing and cooking methods. Sadly, the quality is not very good and the products often have grit,” adds Otillia.

Produce quality, access to appropriate and affordable technologies and markets access for small grains are areas that civil society organisations have been working on to support smallholder farmers.

Thomas Mupetesi is the Director of FACHIG. He says his organisation has acquired two small grain processing machines to address challenges related to quality and value addition of small grains.

“We purchased a small grain cleaner /grader and a snack making machine. We were pushed to find these technologies because of the unavailability of products based on small grains on the market and the low uptake among consumers,” says Thomas. “We thought if we improve the quality of small grains through cleaning and grading that would enhance the quality of the produce and increase consumers,” he adds.

Thomas says the machines were purchased in 2020 but are yet to be put to use. He says lack of appropriate three-phase electricity facilities have blocked them from using the machines. However, he says his organisation is working to resolve this problem. FACHIG has plans to set up a small grains processing centre that farmers can use. The processing centre will target at least 100 farmers who will be producing snacks and selling to local schools.

“Farmers will bring their crops to a central place and they will be transported to the processing unit. The target market is school children. FACHIG should be able to help farmers produce the snacks at a competitive price, “says Thomas.