Evaluation of the engineering properties of cashew kernel obtained from different plantations in Nsukka

In this study, the engineering properties of cashew kernels grown in Nsukka were evaluated. The experiments were carried out in replicates from different plantations in order to achieve near accurate average values. The results showed no significant difference in the physical and thermal properties while terminal velocity, coefficient of friction, compressive force and stress were significantly different. Thus, since the physical properties were significantly the same then a processing system developed using the property values of a particular batch of kernel can be conveniently used with any other batch of the kernel. However varying force applications are to be used depending on the batch due to significant differences in the values of the mechanical properties and end-product of operation the same due to the fact that deformation was significantly the same. The thermal response of any batch will be the same since the thermal properties were significantly the same.Keywords: thermal, mechanical, physical, cashew, kernel, processin

Critical Equipment Identification Approach for Condition-Based Maintenance Planning in a Beverage Plant

A critical equipment identification approach for condition-based maintenance (CBM) planning in the beverage plant is presented. In this study, critical equipment in a beverage industry was identified for effective condition based maintenance planning. The approach involves multiplying four generic factors namely; probability of failure, losses in in-process materials, mean-time-to-repair (MTTR) and mean cost of repairs. The score for the probability of failure was estimated as a function of cumulative failure rate (CFR) of respective plant equipment. Four grades of equipment failure probability were used: very low probability of failure, low probability of failure, medium probability of failure and high probability of failure. MTTR was determined from the identified probability distribution described by the repair data of the reference equipment. Losses in in-process materials were computed from a comparison of the total throughput and the lost brews. The results show that the Dust aspirator, Weighing bin, Mash filter and Chain conveyors with average criticality index of 0.2712, 0.2199, 0.1350 and 0.1563 respectively, are the most critical equipment in a beverage plant. This implies that planning and control of maintenance on the identified critical equipment based on condition monitoring will help improve the production efficiency in the brewing process. Keywords: Critical equipment, Condition based maintenance, Cumulative failure rate, Mean time to repair, Mean cost of repair

Productivity Improvement of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises using Lean Concept: Case Study of a Bread Factory

The immediate impact of the economic downturn and challenging market condition on small and medium scale enterprises (SME) is an urgent demand to implement the effective resource utilization and processing system that will improve productivity. Effective adaptation to the highly competitive environment entails integrating different thought concepts and inventive ideas into the SME processes to reduce manufacturing costs, wastes and improve quality. This paper explores the use of lean concept in SME to improve productivity by reducing operator motion distances, processing time and cost of energy supply. The project reviewed productivity improvement opportunities in Campus bread factory Nsukka using lean concept. The problems in the existing layout were carefully delineated through direct observation of production processes and detailed work study. The resulting data were analyzed to enable the proposal of pertinent modifications in the process. When compared with the existing methods, the new developed method revealed at least 15.62% reduction opportunity in the distance travelled by the operator and decreased the process time by 13.09%. The results also showed that 35.99% reduction of cost of power generation is achievable. A new layout is proposed based on the research realities. Keywords: Resource utilisation, Waste reduction, Lean concept, Productivity improvemen

Agricultural Innovations for Climate Change Adaptation and Food Security in Western and Central Africa

The study sought to examine various agricultural innovations for climate change adaptation and food security in eight countries in Western and Central Africa namely Nigeria, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Ghana, Gambia, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea and Central African Republic. The countries were grouped into three clusters to facilitate comparative analysis of the data generated. Primary and secondary data were collected using questionnaire, participant observation and focus group discussions while secondary data were obtained through in-depth literature review. Descriptive statistics were mainly employed in data analysis. Results show that the most prominent adaptation measures in Nigeria, Sierra Leone and Liberia were; processing of crops to reduce post-harvest losses; increased weeding; mulching; increased manure application; movement to a different farm site; use of agrochemicals; and prayers for God’s intervention. In Ghana and the Gambia, most of the farmers did not do anything but relied on God’s intervention. However, others embarked on regular weeding, construction of drainage systems and trenches, and use of agrochemicals. They also referred difficult cases to extension agents. In Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea and the Central African Republic, farmers, resorted to late planting, blocking of drainage in rice fields to conserve water, multiple cropping; planting crops with different maturity periods, use of wood ash, and urban cropping. The study recommends more interaction of relevant stakeholders including farmers, extension agents, civil society actors, private sector actors and government in generating suitable agricultural innovations for climate change adaptation and food security in the regions. Above all, the study identified the need for capacity strengthening at all levels in the agricultural value chain to ensure food security even in the face of climate change.Key words: Climate change, innovation, adaptation, agriculture, food security, Afric

Climate Change Vulnerability and the Use of Indigenous Technologies for Adaptation among Smallholder Farming Communities in sub Saharan Africa

It has been established that climate variability and change has tremendous impacts on agricultural production and productivity especially in developing societies. Unfortunately, the extent of this change and the adaptation capacity in African agriculture has not been well determined to guide adaptation, policy and development efforts. This study aimed to obtain empirical evidence on whether and how smallholder farming communities are experiencing climate change variability and impacts and the indigenous technologies they have adopted to cushion the effects. The study was conducted in three sub Saharan African countries namely: Nigeria, Tanzania, and Sierra Leone. Primary data were collected through participant observations, questionnaire instruments, and focus group discussions while secondary data were obtained through in-depth literature reviews. Analysis of data was done using both descriptive and inferential statistics. Major findings revealed that the farming communities in the case study countries were indeed experiencing climate change variability and impacts. The most common indigenous technologies that have been continually applied by these farming communities include; multiple cropping to diversify production; early or late planting; mulching to retain soil moisture, texture and fertility; terrace building to prevent soil erosion; use of fertilizers; and prayers for God’s intervention among others. Although most indigenous technologies have been considered effective in coping with climate variability in the past, it remains unclear on how effective they will be in the light of further warming. However, it was recommended that the most effective and sustainable indigenous technologies used by the farming communities could be incubated with a view to upscale and out scale them in other areas so as to enhance adaptation to climate change and variability