Launch of the automated industrial maize dryer at Dedan Kimathi University
By DKUT
Dedan Kimathi University of Technology and the County Government of Laikipia have partnered to lay emphasis on designing and manufacturing machines to be used in food value addition processing using the maize dryer. The Automated Industrial Maize Dryer has been developed to address the challenges encountered during traditional sun-drying and the associated aflatoxin contamination.
Maize is the principal staple food of Kenya, and it is grown in 90 percent of all Kenyan farms.
However, the wider utilization of maize towards addressing food and nutrition security in Kenya has been hindered by concerns regarding the presence of aflatoxins. Some of the critical factors associated with fungal growth and increased risk of aflatoxin production in maize include inadequate traditional sun-drying and storage conditions. Furthermore, spreading maize on bare ground to sundry brings them in direct contact with soil fungal inoculums.
The maize dryer has been designed to efficiently and effectively dry maize to safe moisture content levels. To transfer knowledge to a local manufacturer, Laikipia County identified the Mwireri Engineering Workshop located in Nanyuki Laikipia County as a strategic partner to work closely with Dedan Kimathi University of Technology engineers through DeKUT Enterprises Company to deliver the product.
The aim was to impart knowledge to employees working with Mwireri Engineering Workshop.
To achieve the objective, Mwireri Engineering Workshop and DeKUT Enterprises Company formed a joint venture to design, produce, supply, deliver, install, test, and commission the three maize driers at Sipili, Kinamba, and Mutanga in Laikipia West.
The Maize dryer supports a maximum 6 tons per hour grain drying capacity, 13% moisture content, with a revolutionary solar pre-drier section that significantly cuts down on fuel consumption thus reducing the equipment operating costs.
Others present during the launch presided over by Education Cabinet Secretary Prof George Magoha include; Governor Laikipia County, Hon. Ndiritu Muriithi, Vice Chancellor, DeKUT, Prof. Ndirangu Kioni, Deputy Vice Chancellor, Prof. Esther Magiri among others.
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