ABSTRACT

This study involves development and economic analysis of a yam minisett processing machine for effective yam production. The minisett cutting technology was developed to advance projectile cutting profile motion required for yam minisett processing as obtained in the native technique. The average length and breadth of the seed yams used for designing the minisett processing machine was also determined as 247.80mm and 66.75mm respectively. The developed machine consists of the frame, speed reducer, pulley, belt, crank mechanism, connecting rod, hopper, seed yam carrier, cutting blades, and discharge chute as major components. Taguchi design/optimization tool was used to carry out the performance optimization and cost - benefit analysis to obtain the investment cost in this study. Performance analysis results show that the crank shaft speed, connecting rod length and the number of blades, were used as functional operational parameters while the machine capacity and efficiency are the functional performance indicators of the Yam processing machine. The results show that the machine operates at an optimal efficiency and capacity of 96.24% and 28,888minsett/hr respectively, obtained at a crank shaft speed of 10-80rpm, connecting rod length of 470-540mm and cutting blade number settings of 13.The developed machine is economically viable because its annual return rate of 64.90% outweighed banks maximum fixed deposits return of 16% and prime lending rate of 29% in Nigeria. Also its payback period of 1.85years is less than its 10 years useful life. The machine  cost- benefit ratio,  net present value of 1.75 and ₦105,749,969.20 respectively are more than one which was worthy for investment. These economic indicators setting showed positive credit recovering prospects of this innovation.