Introduction of Decker Type Maize Sheller to Selected Areas of Eastern Tigray and Its Socioeconomic Impact Assessment

Abstract

Maize production has increased in the last few years in the region and country. Despite the increase, there are still many problems that are not solved in the production system, among them shelling system or operation is the first. The traditional methods of shelling; i.e. rubbing the cob together, fringe by hand finger, beating the cobs using sick, or by pestle  and animal tramping are labor intensive, time consuming, cause damage, and cause loss of grains. In order to solve problem the Mekelle Agricultural Mechanization and Rural Energy center manufactures decker type maize Sheller to small holder farmers. And this paper evaluates the socioeconomic impact of this decker in comparing with rubbing the cob of corn together, fraying by hand finger, beating the cobs by using stick, and using decker type maize Sheller. This paper overcome through two approaches these are technical and socioeconomic evaluation.

Keywords: Sheller; Decker type; maize cob; maize increase production, post-harvest loss