AUGMAC FARMS on the 9th January, 2025 received a transformative donation of a cassava peeling machine from the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) in partnership with the West Africa Competitiveness Programme (WACOMP). This donation represents a significant milestone in AUGMAC FARMS’ journey towards agricultural innovation and sustainability. The cassava peeling machine is poised to revolutionize our farm’s operations, offering substantial benefits in terms of productivity, economic growth, quality, and efficiency.
Enhanced Productivity: The cassava peeling machine will drastically reduce the time and labor required for manual peeling, a traditionally tedious and labor-intensive process. With a peeling efficiency of up to 90% and a thorough capacity of 450 kg/h, the machine will enable AUGMAC FARMS to process larger volumes of cassava in less time. This increased productivity will allow the farm to meet growing market demands, both locally and internationally, while reducing the strain on human labor.
Economic Growth: By streamlining the cassava processing workflow, the machine will lower operational costs, particularly labor expenses, and minimize post-harvest losses. These savings can be reinvested into expanding operations or improving infrastructure. Furthermore, the ability to produce higher-quality cassava products will open new revenue streams, including access to export markets. For instance, WACOMP-supported SMEs in Ghana have successfully accessed international markets, significantly boosting their incomes. AUGMAC FARMS can replicate this success, contributing to Sierra Leone’s economic development.
Improved Quality: The machine ensures hygienic and standardized peeling, reducing contamination and improving the overall quality of cassava products. This aligns with global quality standards, making AUGMAC FARMS’ products more competitive in the market. For example, in Ghana, the introduction of mechanical peelers and solar drying infrastructure has significantly reduced mold spoilage and sand contamination, enhancing product quality. AUGMAC FARMS can leverage this technology to produce premium cassava flour, gari, and other derivatives, meeting both local and international consumer expectations.
Operational Efficiency: The integration of the cassava peeling machine will optimize AUGMAC FARMS’ processing workflow. Through automating the peeling process, the farm can reallocate human resources to other value-adding activities, such as packaging, marketing, and distribution. This aligns with UNIDO’s 5 Cs approach (coordinate, compete, conform, connect, and credit), which emphasizes efficiency and competitiveness in Agro-processing.
The donation of the cassava peeling machine marks a transformative step for AUGMAC FARMS. By enhancing productivity, driving economic growth, improving product quality, and optimizing operational efficiency, this support will empower the farm to achieve its vision of sustainable agriculture and improved rural livelihoods. AUGMAC FARMS can now position itself as a leader in cassava processing, contributing to Sierra Leone’s agricultural transformation and global food security. This initiative underscores the importance of partnerships like UNIDO and WACOMP in fostering innovation and sustainability in agriculture.
