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Techno-Economic Analysis of a Crossflow Column Dryer for Maize Drying in Ghana

Author

Listed:
  • George Obeng-Akrofi

    (Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA)

  • Joseph O. Akowuah

    (Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana)

  • Dirk E. Maier

    (Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA)

  • Ahmad Addo

    (Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana)

Abstract

In Ghana, smallholder maize farmers continue to serve as the primary contributor to maize production. These farmers, however, still face challenges of access to appropriate, effective, and efficient drying systems. They continue to depend on open sun drying, which leads to high post-harvest losses. In this study, a 500 kg portable column dryer with a biomass burner heat source was evaluated using maize. Indicators such as drying rate, drying efficiency, and moisture extraction rate were used to assess its technical performance. The economic performance of the drying system was appraised using Net Present Value (NPV), Internal Rate of Return (IRR), Benefit-Cost Ratio (BCR), and Payback Period (PBP). The results showed that the moisture content of maize was reduced from 22.3% to 13.4 ± 2.6% in 5 h at an average drying rate of 1.81%/h and drying efficiency of 64.7%. Utilization of the column dryer for the provision of drying services in a maize-growing community over a 10-year utilization period proved viable with an NPV and IRR of $1633 and 71%, respectively, PBP of less than two years, and BCR of 2.82. Adoption of such low-capacity mobile grain dryers in sub-Saharan Africa would be beneficial in providing timely drying services and improve the socio-economic status of smallholder maize farmers in the region.

Suggested Citation

  • George Obeng-Akrofi & Joseph O. Akowuah & Dirk E. Maier & Ahmad Addo, 2021. "Techno-Economic Analysis of a Crossflow Column Dryer for Maize Drying in Ghana," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 11(6), pages 1-15, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:11:y:2021:i:6:p:568-:d:578769
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Monica Fisher & Tsedeke Abate & Rodney Lunduka & Woinishet Asnake & Yoseph Alemayehu & Ruth Madulu, 2015. "Drought tolerant maize for farmer adaptation to drought in sub-Saharan Africa: Determinants of adoption in eastern and southern Africa," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 133(2), pages 283-299, November.
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    Cited by:

    1. Zhaohong Wu & Wenyuan Hua & Liangguo Luo & Katsuya Tanaka, 2022. "Technical Efficiency of Maize Production and Its Influencing Factors in the World’s Largest Groundwater Drop Funnel Area, China," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 12(5), pages 1-14, April.
    2. JO Akowuah & HA Boateng & G Obeng Akrofi & DE Maier, 2021. "Performance evaluation of a flatbed maize dryer with a biomass heat source," International Journal of Agricultural Research, Innovation and Technology (IJARIT), IJARIT Research Foundation, vol. 11(2), December.
    3. Dirk E. Maier & Hory Chikez, 2021. "Recent Innovations in Post-Harvest Preservation and Protection of Agricultural Products," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 11(12), pages 1-5, December.

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