Participatory Evaluation and Demonstration of Handheld Maize Sheller

A study was carried out to evaluate and demonstrate simple handheld maize Sheller for small holder maize producer at Debremawi water shade, Yilmana Dena Woreda, North Western Ethiopia. The technology was manufactured at Bahirdar Agricultural Mechanization and Food science research center and compared with two traditional methods of maize shelling; shelling by rubbing with a tomb (finger shelling) and shelling by rubbing two cobs together. Shelling efficiency, percentage damage, and shelling capacity were used as performance indicators for comparing the shelling methods. The maximum output of the Sheller was 35 kg.hr.−1. The cost benefit analysis shows that by costing 50.00 ETB for Sheller and 1800.00 ETB for one laborer, the user can save 2097.49ETB and 21.47 working days per month compared to finger shelling technique within a month output. Training for technology manufacturers (producers) should be planned timely in order to extend to the broad scale. Besides, taking in to consideration that in small scale farmers maize shelling is the main duties of women, this technology will enable to combat women’s work load and hence it is one of the “Women’s friendly” technologies to be promoted in the maize producer areas.