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Banana fiber is an underutilized natural resource with potential for industrial applications and value addition at the smallholder farm level. Traditional manual methods for extracting fibers from banana plant wastes are inefficient and labour-intensive. This limits opportunities for rural communities in Africa to commercialize banana cultivation. The study aimed to address this challenge by developing an affordable and effective mechanized solution for extracting banana fibers tailored to small farms. Key design considerations included ease of operation, portability, durability, and optimization for a single operator. Fabrication using basic workshop tools demonstrated technical feasibility. Structural analysis validated structural integrity. Performance testing showed 85% extraction efficiency at 5.36kg/sec, outpacing manual methods. Results confirm the potential of the machine to promote higher fiber yields. With further refinement, the developed technology can stimulate enterprise and industry centered on banana production, contributing to improved rural livelihoods on the continent.
Ukwu et al. (2024) studied this question.