Friday, March 27, 2009
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We agree that agriculture holds the key to Nigeria”s sustainable development. With a steady annual growth rate increasing every year and projected to hit 10percent by the year 2009. contributing 41percent to the gross domestic product and employing two thirds of the entire labour force, agriculture is the promising economic life wire of Nigeria, indeed the whole of Africa.
About the Founder
My name is Oladimeji Adenle, I graduated from Yaba College of Technology, Yaba Lagos where I earned my Higher National Diploma Award in Mechanical Engineering with lower credit honor in November 2000I started deadevelopers when I was in College, which is a small for profit idea development outfit committed to help fellow student to design and develop mechanical projects especially those gave by our projects supervisors. When I found if difficult to get job after I left school I changed it to public partnership business. Which aim is to set up a systematic approach to the end of poverty by taking 5 steps.Oladimeji has a background in personnel and charitable organizations and is a father of one kid. I spent my childhood with a Guardian who is small scale farmer I was born been creative and so far I have successfully invented the following machines.
loneliness I guess is one of the major factor towards fulfillment of my dream job. I love inventing and am looking forward to inventing more devices
loneliness I guess is one of the major factor towards fulfillment of my dream job. I love inventing and am looking forward to inventing more devices
How I Invent Machines to develop a new projects
Invention is easy when the following steps are takenI The potential inventor get prepared to inventIi He research the idea to see if it already existsIii He develops a prototype of his ideaIv He conducts an invention evaluation.V He takes steps to protect his idea.Vi He license the invention or set up a business around it.Take steps inventors canWhen an inventor take this steps, He must realize profit from his invention.
Our Agric Projects;
1. TITLE: Design, Construct and Test an efficient, simple melon seeds Sheller prototype.And to Manufacture and develop market for the prototype Sheller
PROPOSAL:
TABLE OF CONTENT
This project is aim at curbing persistent urban migration of young girls into the cities and to increase the production of Egusi which is under produced in Nigeria. The project is dedicated to my son Master Favour Adenle who is primary one at the time of writing the project and Almighty God the Omnipotent, Omniscience, and Omnipresence.I am also grateful to all who has in one way or the other contributed positively during the data gathering, collation and processing the data to arrived at this project. INTRODUCTIONMelon crop scientifically known as “Citrullus Colocynthis” and locally known as the egusi, has hair on all of its organs, but the fruits are spherical, smooth and weigh up to 5kg. the seeds are eaten in various forms. It is rich in protein, fat and vitamins A, B1, B2 and C. Egusi is known to eliminate tape worm (Taeria) and serves as a purifier of internal organs.Families in Nigeria can eat the crop year round and it is high demand from countries in the central Africa sub-region and certain part of the world.Generally, the production of Egusi is not great from our research the low production of egusi is due to its extensive cultivation method and high time and labour consumption during shelling their seeds. Locally removal of the seed from the pod is done manually at the rate of one at a time. This low production of egusi has lead to driving up his price, malnutrition and under utilization of egusi seeds. Potential and uses are in production of vegetable oil and exportation of the seeds to other part of the world.If the cultivation of the crop is properly carried out, using mechanized means the multiplier effect will be enormous. In a nut shell if a huge production could be set up for egusi seed, it would seriously decrease poverty levels and improve malnutrition.
FACTOR THAT MOTIVATE MY CHOICE OF PROJECT:
. To create a series of melon (egusi) plantation of modern and intensive method of propagation and shelling.2. To develop more women’s production teams and educate them on the controlled farming of melon (egusi) i.e. mono and mixed cropping method and on the availability of external markets for the produce 3. Curb the persistent urban migration of young girls into the cities who leaves in search of employment but become involved in unhealthy vices. This will be attained by enabling youths to engage in the cultivation of a crop that can be grown year round.4. Empower the community to fight poverty and encourage them to use proceeds from this activity to send their children to school.5. To alleviate poverty by ensuring that women can with little labour shell and market this product and provide employment to close to 500 of this State youths who presently view urban migration as their only hope for employment and survival.WHAT IS REQUIRED OF THE FARMERSProcess: The farmers obtain seeds from mature fruits or treatment laboratories. The land is cleared and ridged before the first rains (January to March).Tilling or hoes: Tilling or hoeing is done both with tractors (ridger) and hoes, burning the leftover vegetation. In the savannah region. Tilling is done on flat land and ridged after.Sowning: The seeds are sown as early as possible with the first heavy rains. For one hectares of land, 2-3 kg of seeds are needed. The spacing will depend on whether it is sole cropping or mixed cropping, 4000-20,000 plants per hectares are possible, with usually 2-3 seeds per hole.Germination/Damage Control: The moment germination is realized (9-10 days), farmer carefully observed to see if there is any damage. If there is, they treat it quickly with insecticide. Phosphate and potassium chloride is added to give the soil rich organic content (Application of N and K fertilizer can increase yield considerably). Harvest: After about 140 days, the fruits are ready for harvest. They are collected and dried for 10 days, large filed yield much more product and drying is done using electronic ovens or spreading them on the floor so that they could be exposed to the sun.Handling After Harvest: After collection, fruits are cracked or split open they are placed in a heap or pit and are left for 14-20 days to let the fruits pulp rot. During this period a strong pungent smell is produced and this explains why seed extraction takes place at a distance from the home stead. Then the seeds are removed either manually ort with a mechanical device and thoroughly washed to remove thick mucilage covering them. Next day they are cover with sand or ash to prevent sticking which would make hulling or shelling difficult. The seeds are dried to about 10% moisture content before packing. Packaging must be thorough and packs must be stored away from moisture, as seeds otherwise may germinate.Shelling: Shelling is facilitated by scalding, scald seeds are deposited in the mechanical sheller’s hopper, rotational energy is produce manually. Shelled seeds is transferred into the separation compartment of the sheller where the seeds and the shell is perfectly separated with the aid of air or created by the operator’s mouth, the air flows into the separation zone through the inlet and exit through the outlet of the separation zone blowing away the shell of the seeds which is less heavy than the seeds as the air exit from the separation zone. The weight of decorticated seeds I about 60% of the whole dry seed. The decorticated seeds are package inside sack for market or preservation .
PARTIES INVOLVED AND COST SHARING
1. Host community youths (Farmers)
2. State Agricultural Development Projects (ADP): co-financial
3. IFAD (Major Financial)
4. Oladimeji: Technical Partner
5. Buyers: (Local and International Consumers)
Cost sharing
1. partner A 35%ii.
2.Partner B 65%
Total Fund 100%
USES OF EGUSI SEEDS
Egusi is mainly or basically grown for its oily seeds. The seeds are prepared for consumption by shelling to free the kernel of the seed coat. The kernele are milled into a whitish paste which is used in soups and stews. The seeds (including seed coats are also roasted and served as a snack. They resemble groundnut in flavour.An expensive Semi-drying oil is extracted from the kernel, whereas the residue is fed to animals or used in the preparation of local snacks. The oil is suitable for cooking, soap making and, less commonly, illumination. It can readily be refined into superior products for table use. It is of better quality and higher value than cotton seed oil. The fruit juice mixed with other ingredients is applied to the naval of newborn babies to accelerate the healing process until the cord-relics drop off. Macerated leaves are used in Gabon for purging constipated suckling babies.
PRODUCTION AND INTERNATIONAL TRADE
Egusi is regarded as the original indigenous egusi melon in west and central Africa and the seed can be found in most markets in the region. In Nigeria the demand for the seeds, particularly in the towns led to large-scale planting. Although its production is declining. The trade is mostly local. Export occurs from cote d’lvoire to Nigeria, but the quantities involve are not reported.PERSONAL INFORMATIONName: Adenle OladimejiAddress: P.O.Box 9 Osogbo Osun State NigeriaPhone Number: Date of Birth: 10th December 1972Age: 36 yearsEDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
S/N Degree Institution Date
HND Mechanical Engineering Yaba College of Technology 1997-20002.
OND Mechanical Engineering The Federal Polytechnic Ilaro Ogun State 1992-1995
EXPERIENCES/N INSTITUTION TYPE OF WORK DURATION REMARK:
1.Federal College of Tehnology Ohanso Abia State Youth Corps, 1 year 2000-2001 Satisfactory.
2. Morning Star College, Ibadan Teaching 2003-2005 Good
3. Kings/Queen College Teaching 2006-2007 Good
4. Idea Generation and development centre 1. founder2. Project manager2007 – date
MARKET SURVEY
1. Types of Egusi:
Below are the lists of cubit species which are cultivated in Nigeria and to a significant extent in other parts of the world1 Old World Cucurbits: i. Beninicasa hispidaii. Citrullus colocynthisiii. Coccinia cordifoliaiv. Cucumis anguriav. Lagenaria sicerariavi. Telfairia occidentalisvii. Telfaira pedataviii. Trichosanthes cucumerina• New World Cucurbitsix. Cucurbita ficifoliax. Cucurbita foetidissima xi. Cyclanthera edule2.
Profitability of “Egusi” melon production under sole and mixed cropping system in Okehi LGA Kogi State:
Analysis of cost and returns in ‘Egusi” Melon production. In order to determine the cost and returns (profitability) of this study, farm budgeting technique was employed to analyze the data collected. In this case, input quantities, factor prices, physical output and total returns were obtained. Factors of production and physical output were valued at the market price prevailing at the period of the survey. Gross returns were compared with total cost of production for the following:
Table 1: Average costs and returns per hectare for sole “egusi” melon Items of costs and returns.
Total Melon yield (kg) 74.99. Gross return 5262.72. Inputs costs (N) . Family labour only 1,789.04.
Hired labour only 609.21.Both family and hired labour 740.41Total labour 3138.66Seed 158.21Fertilizer 98.67Total variable cost 3388.54Cost of renting land 38.33Depreciation on farm tools 253.58Total fixed cost 291.91Total cost of production 3,934.04Net farm income 1,328.69Table 2: Average costs and returns per hectare for “egusi” melon in 2 crops mixture.Items of costs and returns (N) TotalMelon yield (kg) 43.40Gross return 3045.91Inputs costs (N) Family labour 1.035.44Hired labour 352.59Both family and hired labour 428.53Total labour 1,816.56Seed 91.57Fertilizer 53.06Total variable cost 1,961.19Cost of renting land 22.18Depreciation on farm tools 146.77Total fixed cost 168.95Total fixed cost 168.95Total cost production 2,130.14Net farm income 915.77Table 3 Average cost and returns per hectare for ‘egusi’ melon in 4 crops mixture Items of costs and returns (N) TotalMelon yield (kg) 19.65Gross return 1,378.87Inputs costs (N) Family labour 468.74Hired labour 159.62Both family and hired labour 193.99Total labour 822.35Seed 41.45Fertilizer 24.02Total variable cost 887.82Cost of renting land 10.04Depreciation on farm tools 88.44Total fixed cost 76.48Total cost production 964.30Net farm income 414.57From the survey the higher the number of crops in the mixture the less the profitability. This is in line with the finding of Yusuf (2005), where he discovered in his research on ‘egusi’ melon that the more the number of crops in the profitability, which he attributed to the competitive effects of the various crops in the mixture.3.
‘Egusi’ Melon seeds shelling/Hulling and separating methods,
1 Manual: In manual method of shelling “egusi” melon seed man picked unshelled seed break the seed’s coat and remove the seed then pick another unil t he finished shelling the seeds.
2. The Available Mechanized Shelling Method:The pumpkin seeds hulling and separating machine,The equipment is our company's patent product with independent intellectual property, contains 3 state patents, can be used to hull, remove shells, separate at the 1st time and separate at the 2nd time for melon/pumpkin seeds. The important characteristic of the equipment is that there is no need to grade the general raw materials into more grades, only for AA grade need to be graded into 2 grades and proceeded separately. Furthermore there is no need to be separated by any sieve. Therefore, the processing has been simplified and the automatization and efficiency have been improved greatly.
COMPONENT The equipment is made up of feed-in hopper, vibrating scatter, combined spiral elevator, huller, shells collector, positive pressure separating machine which separate the seeds from the kernels, double outlets spiral elevator, positive pressure separating machine of 2nd time separation and central control cabinet. MAIN PARAMETER Power: 10.07kw (380) Integral kernels rate: 95% min. (Broken kernel is less than 1/2 of whole kernel) Content of seeds in the kernels: 3% max. Content of seeds and kernels in the shells: 0.3% max. Kernels Output: pumpkin kernels 150-200kg/h max. Occupied area: 9.4m X 3m Height: 3.6m Weight: 5.5t Operators: 2.
3. Mechanize shelling machine I am planning to introduce:
.There are over 50 oil seeds. The labour intensive required in shelling melon seeds, make oil seed buyer go for other oil seeds that can easily be shelled.The results of my over ten years of research into a cheap portable and efficient melon sheller for small scale seeds producers had been completed with satisfactory success. I had successfully designed and construct a portable seed shelling device, Nigeria patent on the machine is pending. With this sheller having 2% of the weight of Japanese pumpkin sheller described in the market survey and 750,000 cheaper than the mentioned Japanese melon sheller above,this is a detail specification of my egusi sheller, I intend to use in maximizing the net profit realized from egusi seed by shelling the seed before marketing it.
The sheller is made up of feed in hoper, a seed picking device and a seed shell breaking device. Lined steel inside which a brush is rotating, this formed a device named the separator, for brushing the seeds off from their shells. The separator has both an inlet an outlet section. Flowing of air created by mouth of the operation through the inlet and exit through the outlet separate the lighter in weight shells from the seeds. The shells exit the machine through the outlet section of the seed/shell separation device.
MAIN PARAMETER
Power: Manually Operated
Integrated Kernels rate: 30 seeds x 50 seconds = 1,500 seeds/mins or 15% of the whole seeds in the hopper.
Broken kernels: is less that 5% of whole kernel.
content of seeds in the kernel: 3% max content of seeds and
kernel in the shells: 0.3%Kernel
output: 1,500 seeds/min
Occupied Area = L x B x H 0.4m x 0.2mx 0.3m Height = 0.3mWeight = 25kg
Operator = 1 personPrice: N30,000 or $250.
Site Selection:
Cheap rent Good road Name of sites: Undecided
Hectares or area of land: 40 hectares, sub divided into 4 unit/plantation of 10 hectares per unit .
Preliminary and Pre-Operation Expenses1. Cost of Research and development of a practicable shellerModel Year Expenditure1st model 1991 N20002nd Model 2000 N4,5003rd Mode 2004 N8,5004th Model 2005 N10,5005th Model 2006 N15,0006th Model 2008 N14,000Total cost of Research and development of perfect and affordable melon seeds sheller for small scale producers N54,5002. Proposal preparation = N25,0003. Legal Cost = N45,000Total = N124,500INVESTMENTS1. Land lease of 40 hectares of land for 5 years 10 hectares/unit 400,0002. Building (4 hurts @ N80,000/hurt) N320,0003. Office fixture (Table and Chair) N40,0004. Tools: propagation and plantingEquipments: 20 cutlasses 8 spades8 files8 sprayers N80,0005. Seed shelling equipments40 manually operated melon seeds shellers N1,200,0006. Egusi seed washing device N400,0007 Preservation N100,0008. Portable water supply from well @ N20,000/well N80,0009. Electricity Generating set N45,000Total N2,665,000DEPRECIATIONDepreciation is valued at N100,000 every yearWORKING CAPITALi. Seeds (7 congos of egusi seed N80/congo)ii. Chemical5 fungicides10 litres of insecticides3 potassium sulphates8 bags of urea4 bags of phosphate bicarbonate N35,000Total N35,560UTILITIES EXPENSESParticular Farming Year1 Fuel @ N3,000 monthly For 12 months N36,0002. Labour charges for 40 labourers from the timeOf seed propagation to harvesting, (7 month maximum) N2,240,0003. Transportation N100,0004. Mechanize Method of clearing and ridges making N80,000Total N2,456,000ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES S/N Particular Yearly 1. Stationary and Postage N5,2002. Legal Charges N35,0003. Entertainment N10,000Total N50,000MAN POWER REQUIREMENTS/N Particulars No Monthly salaries Yearly salaries1. Manager 1 18,0000 216,0002. Supervisors 4 11,500 552,000 3. Security Guards 2 5,000 120,000Total N888,000YIELD AND GROSS RETURNNumber of seeds/hole = 2 seedsAverage number of plants per hectares = No. of plants in 4 mixed cropping + No. plants in mono cropping per hectares 2= (6,000 + 20,000) ÷ 2 = 13,000 plants per hectare- The average fruit per plant is (2+4) ÷ 2 = 3 fruits - Number of seeds per fruits is between 120 and 260, therefore the average number of seeds = (120 + 260) ÷ 2 = 200seeds - The average number of seeds produced per plants = average number of fruit per plants x average number of seeds per fruit = 3 x 300 = 600seeds - Average number of seeds per hectare = average number of plants per hectare x average number of seeds per fruits = 13,000plants x 600seeds = 7,800,000seeds - Therefore the average number of egusi seeds that can be gotten from 40 hectares of egusi seeds plantation = 40 x 7,800,000seeds = 312,000,000 egusi seeds - The estimate number of unshelled egusi seeds in one congo is 4000 seeds therefore the estimated number of congos of unshelled egusi seeds in 40 hectares of egusi plantation = 312,000,000 ÷ 4,000 = 78,000 congos Gross return on shell egusi seeds harvested from 40 hectares of egusi plantation =Market value of 1 congo of egusi seeds at the time of writing this proposal i.e. N80/percongo x 78,000congos = N6,240,000- Additional profit an egusi farmer will realize on his yield if the egusi seeds are shelled before marketing: 1. cost of one congo of unshelled egusi is N80 2. cost of one congo of shelled egusi seeds = N280, from my market survey there is 1 congo of shelled egusi seed in 1.8 congos of unshelled egusi seeds, therefore on N144 worth of unshelled egusi seeds a farmer will realize a profit of : N280 – N144 = N136.In 78,000 congos of unshelled egusi seeds a farmer will get 78,000 ÷ 1.8 congos of shelled egusi seeds = 43,330 congos of shelled egusi seeds. Therefore estimated profit on 43,330 congos of shelled egusi seeds = N5,893,323NET GROSS RETURN:1. Gross return on 78,000 congos of unshelled egusi seed at N80/congo N6,240,0002. Additional profit realized after shelling 78,000 congos egusi seeds N5,893,323Total N12,133,323Projected production and net farm incomeS/N PARTICULAR YEAR 1 YEAR 2 YEAR 31. Yield of melon seeds 78,000 congos 78,500 78,4502. Net Gross return on Egusi Seeds N12,133,323 12,211,110 12,203,3333.Input cost: - Variable cost:i. Man power requirement ii. Utility Expensesiii. Working Capitaliv. Administrative Expensesv. Depreciation Total variable costFixed cost:i. Lease of landii. Building iii. Office fixture (Table & chair)iv Tools a. propagation and planting equipmentsb. seed shellersc. Egusi seed washing machinev. Preservation devicevi. Portable water supply from wellvii. Standby Generatorviii. Preliminary and pre- operations expenses ix maintenance Total fixed costNet farm income = gross return – (total variable cost + total fixed cost)Net farm income after 4% tax deduction 588,000456,00035,56050,200100,0001,529,760400,000320,00040,00080,0001,200,000400,000100,00080,00045,000125,0002,677,5007,926,6637,609,020.5 888,000450,00040,00030,000100,0001,508,00020,00050,00070,00010,633,11010,207,785 900,00460,00035,00035,000100,0001,530,00050,00050,00010,623,33310,198,400Projected gross return during phase 1 (duration 5 years) 7,609,021 + 10,207,785 + 10,198,400 + 10,200,100 + 10,250,100 = N48, 465,306Approximately = N48.5million BRIEF ON PHASE II OF EGUSI SEEDS PRODUCTION (DURATION ANOTHER 5YEARS)Vision - Business diversification through acquiring machinery for processing seeds to vegetable oil - Expansion of egusi seeds production business through the renewal of phase I land lease agreement and acquiring additional 140 hectares of land to enable the acquired land for seed propagation to attain 200 hectares - To alleviate poverty through employing additional man power in the state CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONSThe survey has shown that egusi melon production is profitable. It was revealed that sole melon production has higher net farm income than melon in the crop mixture. Melon in two crops mixture has a higher net farm income than melon in 4 crops mixture and so on.In addition it is confirmed that the gross return on melon yield is much more when the egusi seeds had been shelled than when it is market unshelled.Based on these findings and observations, the following recommendations are made: Farmers should continue to focus more attention on sole melon production, during the execution of the egusi seed production project, if they should go on mixed cropping for other advantages associated with it, they should focus attention on 2 crop mixture rather than many crops in the mixture. Also shelled melon seeds should be encourage for sale to local industries and for exportation, if they should go for unshelled seed it should be on request by the buyers. Finally the Agricultural Development Projects (ADP) in the state should intensify ‘egusi’ melon production awareness and mobilize the local industries for ‘egusi’ melon processing and extraction of oil for better utilization in the country.2. TITLE: Design, manufacture and develop market for a simple cassava peeling machine which is capable of peeling at least 25 cassavas per minute with a selling price range of 6,000 - 7,000 naira. for small scale casava farmers in Nigeria.PRPOSAL:
PROPOSAL:
TABLE OF CONTENT
- Dedication
- Summary
- Introduction
- Factors that motivate my choice of project
- What is required of the farmers
- Parties involved and cost sharring
- Uses of Egusi SeedProduction and International Trade
- Personal Information
- Experience
- Market Survey
- Competitive Business Strategy
- Market and Site SelectionPreliminary and Pre-OperationExpenses
- InvestmentDepreciation
- Working Capital
- Utilities Expenses
- Administrative Expenses
- Man Power Requirement
- Yield and Gross Return
- Projected Gross Return during phase 1 (duration: 5 years)Source of Savings
- A brief on phase II of Egusi production project (Duration: another 5 years)
- Conclusion and RecommendationReference
This project is aim at curbing persistent urban migration of young girls into the cities and to increase the production of Egusi which is under produced in Nigeria. The project is dedicated to my son Master Favour Adenle who is primary one at the time of writing the project and Almighty God the Omnipotent, Omniscience, and Omnipresence.I am also grateful to all who has in one way or the other contributed positively during the data gathering, collation and processing the data to arrived at this project. INTRODUCTIONMelon crop scientifically known as “Citrullus Colocynthis” and locally known as the egusi, has hair on all of its organs, but the fruits are spherical, smooth and weigh up to 5kg. the seeds are eaten in various forms. It is rich in protein, fat and vitamins A, B1, B2 and C. Egusi is known to eliminate tape worm (Taeria) and serves as a purifier of internal organs.Families in Nigeria can eat the crop year round and it is high demand from countries in the central Africa sub-region and certain part of the world.Generally, the production of Egusi is not great from our research the low production of egusi is due to its extensive cultivation method and high time and labour consumption during shelling their seeds. Locally removal of the seed from the pod is done manually at the rate of one at a time. This low production of egusi has lead to driving up his price, malnutrition and under utilization of egusi seeds. Potential and uses are in production of vegetable oil and exportation of the seeds to other part of the world.If the cultivation of the crop is properly carried out, using mechanized means the multiplier effect will be enormous. In a nut shell if a huge production could be set up for egusi seed, it would seriously decrease poverty levels and improve malnutrition.
FACTOR THAT MOTIVATE MY CHOICE OF PROJECT:
. To create a series of melon (egusi) plantation of modern and intensive method of propagation and shelling.2. To develop more women’s production teams and educate them on the controlled farming of melon (egusi) i.e. mono and mixed cropping method and on the availability of external markets for the produce 3. Curb the persistent urban migration of young girls into the cities who leaves in search of employment but become involved in unhealthy vices. This will be attained by enabling youths to engage in the cultivation of a crop that can be grown year round.4. Empower the community to fight poverty and encourage them to use proceeds from this activity to send their children to school.5. To alleviate poverty by ensuring that women can with little labour shell and market this product and provide employment to close to 500 of this State youths who presently view urban migration as their only hope for employment and survival.WHAT IS REQUIRED OF THE FARMERSProcess: The farmers obtain seeds from mature fruits or treatment laboratories. The land is cleared and ridged before the first rains (January to March).Tilling or hoes: Tilling or hoeing is done both with tractors (ridger) and hoes, burning the leftover vegetation. In the savannah region. Tilling is done on flat land and ridged after.Sowning: The seeds are sown as early as possible with the first heavy rains. For one hectares of land, 2-3 kg of seeds are needed. The spacing will depend on whether it is sole cropping or mixed cropping, 4000-20,000 plants per hectares are possible, with usually 2-3 seeds per hole.Germination/Damage Control: The moment germination is realized (9-10 days), farmer carefully observed to see if there is any damage. If there is, they treat it quickly with insecticide. Phosphate and potassium chloride is added to give the soil rich organic content (Application of N and K fertilizer can increase yield considerably). Harvest: After about 140 days, the fruits are ready for harvest. They are collected and dried for 10 days, large filed yield much more product and drying is done using electronic ovens or spreading them on the floor so that they could be exposed to the sun.Handling After Harvest: After collection, fruits are cracked or split open they are placed in a heap or pit and are left for 14-20 days to let the fruits pulp rot. During this period a strong pungent smell is produced and this explains why seed extraction takes place at a distance from the home stead. Then the seeds are removed either manually ort with a mechanical device and thoroughly washed to remove thick mucilage covering them. Next day they are cover with sand or ash to prevent sticking which would make hulling or shelling difficult. The seeds are dried to about 10% moisture content before packing. Packaging must be thorough and packs must be stored away from moisture, as seeds otherwise may germinate.Shelling: Shelling is facilitated by scalding, scald seeds are deposited in the mechanical sheller’s hopper, rotational energy is produce manually. Shelled seeds is transferred into the separation compartment of the sheller where the seeds and the shell is perfectly separated with the aid of air or created by the operator’s mouth, the air flows into the separation zone through the inlet and exit through the outlet of the separation zone blowing away the shell of the seeds which is less heavy than the seeds as the air exit from the separation zone. The weight of decorticated seeds I about 60% of the whole dry seed. The decorticated seeds are package inside sack for market or preservation .
PARTIES INVOLVED AND COST SHARING
1. Host community youths (Farmers)
2. State Agricultural Development Projects (ADP): co-financial
3. IFAD (Major Financial)
4. Oladimeji: Technical Partner
5. Buyers: (Local and International Consumers)
Cost sharing
1. partner A 35%ii.
2.Partner B 65%
Total Fund 100%
USES OF EGUSI SEEDS
Egusi is mainly or basically grown for its oily seeds. The seeds are prepared for consumption by shelling to free the kernel of the seed coat. The kernele are milled into a whitish paste which is used in soups and stews. The seeds (including seed coats are also roasted and served as a snack. They resemble groundnut in flavour.An expensive Semi-drying oil is extracted from the kernel, whereas the residue is fed to animals or used in the preparation of local snacks. The oil is suitable for cooking, soap making and, less commonly, illumination. It can readily be refined into superior products for table use. It is of better quality and higher value than cotton seed oil. The fruit juice mixed with other ingredients is applied to the naval of newborn babies to accelerate the healing process until the cord-relics drop off. Macerated leaves are used in Gabon for purging constipated suckling babies.
PRODUCTION AND INTERNATIONAL TRADE
Egusi is regarded as the original indigenous egusi melon in west and central Africa and the seed can be found in most markets in the region. In Nigeria the demand for the seeds, particularly in the towns led to large-scale planting. Although its production is declining. The trade is mostly local. Export occurs from cote d’lvoire to Nigeria, but the quantities involve are not reported.PERSONAL INFORMATIONName: Adenle OladimejiAddress: P.O.Box 9 Osogbo Osun State NigeriaPhone Number: Date of Birth: 10th December 1972Age: 36 yearsEDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
S/N Degree Institution Date
HND Mechanical Engineering Yaba College of Technology 1997-20002.
OND Mechanical Engineering The Federal Polytechnic Ilaro Ogun State 1992-1995
EXPERIENCES/N INSTITUTION TYPE OF WORK DURATION REMARK:
1.Federal College of Tehnology Ohanso Abia State Youth Corps, 1 year 2000-2001 Satisfactory.
2. Morning Star College, Ibadan Teaching 2003-2005 Good
3. Kings/Queen College Teaching 2006-2007 Good
4. Idea Generation and development centre 1. founder2. Project manager2007 – date
MARKET SURVEY
1. Types of Egusi:
Below are the lists of cubit species which are cultivated in Nigeria and to a significant extent in other parts of the world1 Old World Cucurbits: i. Beninicasa hispidaii. Citrullus colocynthisiii. Coccinia cordifoliaiv. Cucumis anguriav. Lagenaria sicerariavi. Telfairia occidentalisvii. Telfaira pedataviii. Trichosanthes cucumerina• New World Cucurbitsix. Cucurbita ficifoliax. Cucurbita foetidissima xi. Cyclanthera edule2.
Profitability of “Egusi” melon production under sole and mixed cropping system in Okehi LGA Kogi State:
Analysis of cost and returns in ‘Egusi” Melon production. In order to determine the cost and returns (profitability) of this study, farm budgeting technique was employed to analyze the data collected. In this case, input quantities, factor prices, physical output and total returns were obtained. Factors of production and physical output were valued at the market price prevailing at the period of the survey. Gross returns were compared with total cost of production for the following:
Table 1: Average costs and returns per hectare for sole “egusi” melon Items of costs and returns.
Total Melon yield (kg) 74.99. Gross return 5262.72. Inputs costs (N) . Family labour only 1,789.04.
Hired labour only 609.21.Both family and hired labour 740.41Total labour 3138.66Seed 158.21Fertilizer 98.67Total variable cost 3388.54Cost of renting land 38.33Depreciation on farm tools 253.58Total fixed cost 291.91Total cost of production 3,934.04Net farm income 1,328.69Table 2: Average costs and returns per hectare for “egusi” melon in 2 crops mixture.Items of costs and returns (N) TotalMelon yield (kg) 43.40Gross return 3045.91Inputs costs (N) Family labour 1.035.44Hired labour 352.59Both family and hired labour 428.53Total labour 1,816.56Seed 91.57Fertilizer 53.06Total variable cost 1,961.19Cost of renting land 22.18Depreciation on farm tools 146.77Total fixed cost 168.95Total fixed cost 168.95Total cost production 2,130.14Net farm income 915.77Table 3 Average cost and returns per hectare for ‘egusi’ melon in 4 crops mixture Items of costs and returns (N) TotalMelon yield (kg) 19.65Gross return 1,378.87Inputs costs (N) Family labour 468.74Hired labour 159.62Both family and hired labour 193.99Total labour 822.35Seed 41.45Fertilizer 24.02Total variable cost 887.82Cost of renting land 10.04Depreciation on farm tools 88.44Total fixed cost 76.48Total cost production 964.30Net farm income 414.57From the survey the higher the number of crops in the mixture the less the profitability. This is in line with the finding of Yusuf (2005), where he discovered in his research on ‘egusi’ melon that the more the number of crops in the profitability, which he attributed to the competitive effects of the various crops in the mixture.3.
‘Egusi’ Melon seeds shelling/Hulling and separating methods,
1 Manual: In manual method of shelling “egusi” melon seed man picked unshelled seed break the seed’s coat and remove the seed then pick another unil t he finished shelling the seeds.
2. The Available Mechanized Shelling Method:The pumpkin seeds hulling and separating machine,The equipment is our company's patent product with independent intellectual property, contains 3 state patents, can be used to hull, remove shells, separate at the 1st time and separate at the 2nd time for melon/pumpkin seeds. The important characteristic of the equipment is that there is no need to grade the general raw materials into more grades, only for AA grade need to be graded into 2 grades and proceeded separately. Furthermore there is no need to be separated by any sieve. Therefore, the processing has been simplified and the automatization and efficiency have been improved greatly.
COMPONENT The equipment is made up of feed-in hopper, vibrating scatter, combined spiral elevator, huller, shells collector, positive pressure separating machine which separate the seeds from the kernels, double outlets spiral elevator, positive pressure separating machine of 2nd time separation and central control cabinet. MAIN PARAMETER Power: 10.07kw (380) Integral kernels rate: 95% min. (Broken kernel is less than 1/2 of whole kernel) Content of seeds in the kernels: 3% max. Content of seeds and kernels in the shells: 0.3% max. Kernels Output: pumpkin kernels 150-200kg/h max. Occupied area: 9.4m X 3m Height: 3.6m Weight: 5.5t Operators: 2.
3. Mechanize shelling machine I am planning to introduce:
.There are over 50 oil seeds. The labour intensive required in shelling melon seeds, make oil seed buyer go for other oil seeds that can easily be shelled.The results of my over ten years of research into a cheap portable and efficient melon sheller for small scale seeds producers had been completed with satisfactory success. I had successfully designed and construct a portable seed shelling device, Nigeria patent on the machine is pending. With this sheller having 2% of the weight of Japanese pumpkin sheller described in the market survey and 750,000 cheaper than the mentioned Japanese melon sheller above,this is a detail specification of my egusi sheller, I intend to use in maximizing the net profit realized from egusi seed by shelling the seed before marketing it.
The sheller is made up of feed in hoper, a seed picking device and a seed shell breaking device. Lined steel inside which a brush is rotating, this formed a device named the separator, for brushing the seeds off from their shells. The separator has both an inlet an outlet section. Flowing of air created by mouth of the operation through the inlet and exit through the outlet separate the lighter in weight shells from the seeds. The shells exit the machine through the outlet section of the seed/shell separation device.
MAIN PARAMETER
Power: Manually Operated
Integrated Kernels rate: 30 seeds x 50 seconds = 1,500 seeds/mins or 15% of the whole seeds in the hopper.
Broken kernels: is less that 5% of whole kernel.
content of seeds in the kernel: 3% max content of seeds and
kernel in the shells: 0.3%Kernel
output: 1,500 seeds/min
Occupied Area = L x B x H 0.4m x 0.2mx 0.3m Height = 0.3mWeight = 25kg
Operator = 1 personPrice: N30,000 or $250.
Site Selection:
Cheap rent Good road Name of sites: Undecided
Hectares or area of land: 40 hectares, sub divided into 4 unit/plantation of 10 hectares per unit .
Preliminary and Pre-Operation Expenses1. Cost of Research and development of a practicable shellerModel Year Expenditure1st model 1991 N20002nd Model 2000 N4,5003rd Mode 2004 N8,5004th Model 2005 N10,5005th Model 2006 N15,0006th Model 2008 N14,000Total cost of Research and development of perfect and affordable melon seeds sheller for small scale producers N54,5002. Proposal preparation = N25,0003. Legal Cost = N45,000Total = N124,500INVESTMENTS1. Land lease of 40 hectares of land for 5 years 10 hectares/unit 400,0002. Building (4 hurts @ N80,000/hurt) N320,0003. Office fixture (Table and Chair) N40,0004. Tools: propagation and plantingEquipments: 20 cutlasses 8 spades8 files8 sprayers N80,0005. Seed shelling equipments40 manually operated melon seeds shellers N1,200,0006. Egusi seed washing device N400,0007 Preservation N100,0008. Portable water supply from well @ N20,000/well N80,0009. Electricity Generating set N45,000Total N2,665,000DEPRECIATIONDepreciation is valued at N100,000 every yearWORKING CAPITALi. Seeds (7 congos of egusi seed N80/congo)ii. Chemical5 fungicides10 litres of insecticides3 potassium sulphates8 bags of urea4 bags of phosphate bicarbonate N35,000Total N35,560UTILITIES EXPENSESParticular Farming Year1 Fuel @ N3,000 monthly For 12 months N36,0002. Labour charges for 40 labourers from the timeOf seed propagation to harvesting, (7 month maximum) N2,240,0003. Transportation N100,0004. Mechanize Method of clearing and ridges making N80,000Total N2,456,000ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES S/N Particular Yearly 1. Stationary and Postage N5,2002. Legal Charges N35,0003. Entertainment N10,000Total N50,000MAN POWER REQUIREMENTS/N Particulars No Monthly salaries Yearly salaries1. Manager 1 18,0000 216,0002. Supervisors 4 11,500 552,000 3. Security Guards 2 5,000 120,000Total N888,000YIELD AND GROSS RETURNNumber of seeds/hole = 2 seedsAverage number of plants per hectares = No. of plants in 4 mixed cropping + No. plants in mono cropping per hectares 2= (6,000 + 20,000) ÷ 2 = 13,000 plants per hectare- The average fruit per plant is (2+4) ÷ 2 = 3 fruits - Number of seeds per fruits is between 120 and 260, therefore the average number of seeds = (120 + 260) ÷ 2 = 200seeds - The average number of seeds produced per plants = average number of fruit per plants x average number of seeds per fruit = 3 x 300 = 600seeds - Average number of seeds per hectare = average number of plants per hectare x average number of seeds per fruits = 13,000plants x 600seeds = 7,800,000seeds - Therefore the average number of egusi seeds that can be gotten from 40 hectares of egusi seeds plantation = 40 x 7,800,000seeds = 312,000,000 egusi seeds - The estimate number of unshelled egusi seeds in one congo is 4000 seeds therefore the estimated number of congos of unshelled egusi seeds in 40 hectares of egusi plantation = 312,000,000 ÷ 4,000 = 78,000 congos Gross return on shell egusi seeds harvested from 40 hectares of egusi plantation =Market value of 1 congo of egusi seeds at the time of writing this proposal i.e. N80/percongo x 78,000congos = N6,240,000- Additional profit an egusi farmer will realize on his yield if the egusi seeds are shelled before marketing: 1. cost of one congo of unshelled egusi is N80 2. cost of one congo of shelled egusi seeds = N280, from my market survey there is 1 congo of shelled egusi seed in 1.8 congos of unshelled egusi seeds, therefore on N144 worth of unshelled egusi seeds a farmer will realize a profit of : N280 – N144 = N136.In 78,000 congos of unshelled egusi seeds a farmer will get 78,000 ÷ 1.8 congos of shelled egusi seeds = 43,330 congos of shelled egusi seeds. Therefore estimated profit on 43,330 congos of shelled egusi seeds = N5,893,323NET GROSS RETURN:1. Gross return on 78,000 congos of unshelled egusi seed at N80/congo N6,240,0002. Additional profit realized after shelling 78,000 congos egusi seeds N5,893,323Total N12,133,323Projected production and net farm incomeS/N PARTICULAR YEAR 1 YEAR 2 YEAR 31. Yield of melon seeds 78,000 congos 78,500 78,4502. Net Gross return on Egusi Seeds N12,133,323 12,211,110 12,203,3333.Input cost: - Variable cost:i. Man power requirement ii. Utility Expensesiii. Working Capitaliv. Administrative Expensesv. Depreciation Total variable costFixed cost:i. Lease of landii. Building iii. Office fixture (Table & chair)iv Tools a. propagation and planting equipmentsb. seed shellersc. Egusi seed washing machinev. Preservation devicevi. Portable water supply from wellvii. Standby Generatorviii. Preliminary and pre- operations expenses ix maintenance Total fixed costNet farm income = gross return – (total variable cost + total fixed cost)Net farm income after 4% tax deduction 588,000456,00035,56050,200100,0001,529,760400,000320,00040,00080,0001,200,000400,000100,00080,00045,000125,0002,677,5007,926,6637,609,020.5 888,000450,00040,00030,000100,0001,508,00020,00050,00070,00010,633,11010,207,785 900,00460,00035,00035,000100,0001,530,00050,00050,00010,623,33310,198,400Projected gross return during phase 1 (duration 5 years) 7,609,021 + 10,207,785 + 10,198,400 + 10,200,100 + 10,250,100 = N48, 465,306Approximately = N48.5million BRIEF ON PHASE II OF EGUSI SEEDS PRODUCTION (DURATION ANOTHER 5YEARS)Vision - Business diversification through acquiring machinery for processing seeds to vegetable oil - Expansion of egusi seeds production business through the renewal of phase I land lease agreement and acquiring additional 140 hectares of land to enable the acquired land for seed propagation to attain 200 hectares - To alleviate poverty through employing additional man power in the state CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONSThe survey has shown that egusi melon production is profitable. It was revealed that sole melon production has higher net farm income than melon in the crop mixture. Melon in two crops mixture has a higher net farm income than melon in 4 crops mixture and so on.In addition it is confirmed that the gross return on melon yield is much more when the egusi seeds had been shelled than when it is market unshelled.Based on these findings and observations, the following recommendations are made: Farmers should continue to focus more attention on sole melon production, during the execution of the egusi seed production project, if they should go on mixed cropping for other advantages associated with it, they should focus attention on 2 crop mixture rather than many crops in the mixture. Also shelled melon seeds should be encourage for sale to local industries and for exportation, if they should go for unshelled seed it should be on request by the buyers. Finally the Agricultural Development Projects (ADP) in the state should intensify ‘egusi’ melon production awareness and mobilize the local industries for ‘egusi’ melon processing and extraction of oil for better utilization in the country.2. TITLE: Design, manufacture and develop market for a simple cassava peeling machine which is capable of peeling at least 25 cassavas per minute with a selling price range of 6,000 - 7,000 naira. for small scale casava farmers in Nigeria.PRPOSAL:
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