Minimization of Postharvest Loss on Cereal Crops Through Capacity Building of Artisans and Youth Groups

The current Ethiopian policy is to strengthen mechanization to improve crop production. The economy depends on agriculture, and the technology imported challenges Ethiopian inducers. The best option is the strength of local manufacturers and artisans. The purpose of this training was to strengthen the artisan and youth groups to improve fabrication quality. The training was conducted on fabrications of maize sheller and metal silo at Melkassa Agricultural Research Centre. The parts of Sheller are: supporter, drum, engine, shaft, chain, and sprocket. The sheller parameters are: speeds, moisture, shelling capacity, efficiency, and grain damage. Metal silo designs parameters: diameter of silo, height, thickness, and density of crop. The material used was galvanized sheet metal (28 gauge), lead, acid, and benzene. The trainers come from Oromia, Amhara, Central Ethiopia, Sidama, and the South Ethiopia region. They equally participated in maize sheller and metal silo fabrication. Oromia and Amhara (28%), Central and South Ethiopia (17%), and Sidama (10%) of the artisans successfully participated. They cover theoretical and practical sessions, and they can fabricate quality sheller and metal silos. After the training, they can develop their business, and it results in the minimizing of crop as it improves the accessibility of the technologies. Ethiopia's policy aims to improve crop production through mechanization, focusing on local manufacturers and artisans. A training program was conducted at the Melkassa Agricultural Research Centre to improve fabrication quality of maize shellers and metal silos. The training involved trainers from various regions, with 28% of participants successfully participating. The training helped artisans improve their skills, leading to business development and reduced crop loss, thereby enhancing technology accessibility.