Keep the Strong Threshers Coming; Says Madam Salamatu Alhassan

Aishatu Seidu Testimonial
Madam
Photo of Madam Salamatu Alhassan with after her soyabean threshing service with the Multi-crop Thresher

Madam Salamatu Alhassan, a Soyabean farmer in Zang, a village in the Yendi Municipal District in the Northern Region of Ghana, was one of the farmers in her community who used the service of our multi-crop thresher to thresh her two-acre soyabean harvest.
Below is her testimonial concerning the multi-crop thresher;

The thresher is helping us very well
We need another one
If we can get more of them, we will be able to expand our farm.

If we can get similarly strong threshers like this first one, we won’t need to worry about repairs so that we can do more work and get more profit.
We have really received help from the thresher, but we are still looking forward to more of these machines for our farms.
I pray that God will give you knowledge and power to manufacture more machines for us.

Watch her testimonial video below:

Video testimonial by Madam Salamatu Alhassan on the multi-crop thresher

Madam Salamatu’s testimonial is a powerful endorsement of the efficacy of our thresher. Her words paint a picture of how our machinery is more than just a tool; it is a lifeline for farmers striving to enhance their productivity and profitability. Here is how she benefited from the services of the multi-crop thresher;

  1. Increased Productivity: The thresher has significantly boosted productivity on Madam Salamatu’s farm. With its reliable performance, she can now process her crops more efficiently, allowing her to focus on expanding her farming activities.
  2. Reduced Repair Concerns: One of the standout features of our thresher is its durability. Madam Salamatu’s confidence in the machine’s robustness means less downtime for repairs and more time dedicated to farming.
  3. Financial Growth: By enabling more work to be done with less effort, the thresher directly contributes to increased profits. This financial stability is crucial for small farmers looking to invest back into their farms and communities.
  4. Future Aspirations: Madam Salamatu’s desire for more threshers speaks to the transformative potential of our machinery. Her hope to expand her farm with additional machines underscores the scalability of SAYeTECH’s solutions.

As we reflect on Madam Salamatu’s testimonial, we are reminded of the profound impact that our post-harvest machine solutions can have on individual lives and entire communities.
At SAYeTECH, we are committed to ensuring that farmers like Madam Salamatu have the tools they need to succeed. For more information about SAYeTECH and our products, or to learn how you can support our mission, reach out to us via our contact page.

Together, we can build a brighter, more sustainable future for farmers across the globe.

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Musah’s Story at SAYeTECH

Photo of Musah working at
Musah's photo at work
Photo of Musah working at

Hello everyone, my name is Musah ADOMAH.  I'm proud to have earned my Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, with a focus on Thermo-fluids and Energy Systems Engineering, from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. Before that, I excelled at T.I. Ahmadiyya Senior High School, where I earned my WASSCE Certificate in July 2018 with flying colours. As a versatile mechanical engineer, I bring a diverse set of skills to our team. From procurement and inventory control to fabrication and quality assurance, I'm involved in every aspect of our operations. Every day, I ensure that our company has the goods and services it needs to thrive, from sourcing and negotiating terms to receiving and inspecting goods. With meticulous record-keeping and attention to detail, I streamline processes for maximum efficiency and cost-effectiveness. My interests extend to Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and Energy Systems Engineering, where I'm constantly exploring new technologies and methodologies within the realm of mechanical engineering. My goal is simple yet ambitious: to drive innovation and excellence in everything I do. I'm determined to use my skills and knowledge to take our company to new heights in the agricultural machinery industry. With a focus on teamwork, communication, and continuous improvement, I'm ready to make a lasting impact on our future success.  Thank you.

Musah Adomah, Production Team Member

Musah’s story is a testament to SAYeTECH’s commitment to developing youth talent. From mastering welding techniques to leading in inventory management, Musah embodies the spirit of growth and innovation that defines our team.

At SAYeTECH, we believe in harnessing the power of youth to drive mechanization in African agriculture, particularly through post-harvest machinery. Our mission extends beyond just providing opportunities; we’re actively shaping the future of farming by equipping young talents like Musah with the skills and tools they need to thrive.

Join us on this transfomational journey!

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The Evolution of Threshers & SAYeTECH’s Positioning in the Present and Future of African Agriculture

Wikipedia defines a threshing machine or a thresher as a piece of farm equipment that separates grain seed from the stalks and husks. It does so by beating the plant to make the seeds fall out. Before such machines were developed, threshing was done by hand with flails: such hand threshing was very laborious and time-consuming, taking about one-quarter of agricultural labour by the 18th century.

The purpose of this article is to take you on a journey about how threshing evolved, from the use of sticks, to flails, to what we have today.

Before the 10th century, long sticks were used as the first tool by Egyptians to thresh grains.

Manual threshing with sticks ancient Egypt
A painting of farmers in Ancient Egypt working a threshing floor. Credit: https://www.q-files.com/

It’s adoption spread to Europe where someone noticed that although banging a stick against the crops separated the wheat from the chaff, connecting one stick to another resulted in greater impact force and little side-effects on the palms that wielded the stick. Voila, the flail was born. It gained widespread use in Europe from the Renaissance through to the 17th century and was adopted in many parts of the world, including Asia.

Threshing medieval peasants Europe
Medieval Women threshing with sticks in England 1300 – 1500. Credit: Public domain

However, a farmer one day asked, “Could this tool be used against that guy who has been stealing my crops?” And that is how the flail evolved into a weapon and was subsequently embraced by European knights and armies.

flail
Two European farmers threshing grains with a flail. Credit: arms-n-armor.com/

In China, it evolved into the “Nunchaku“, a martial arts weapon. I bet Bruce Lee just came to mind.

But we are not talking about weapons today. The threshing machine as we currently know it, can be considered as just a bunch of flails automatically working together.

In the American Cyclopaedia, it’s mentioned that Michael Menzies of Scotland is credited with creating one of the earliest threshing machines, which used water power to drive multiple flails. While not successful, it gained a lot of attention.

In 1758, a farmer named Leckie from Stirlingshire developed a rotary machine with cross arms and a horizontal shaft enclosed in a cylinder. Although efficient for oats, it had issues with wheat. – There are no available visual designs of Menzies’ and Leckie’s model.

Andrew Meikle later improved upon Leckie’s design in 1786 by adding a drum with beaters and rollers for straw feeding, receiving a patent in 1788 for the first functional machine, which included a fan mill for cleaning grain from straw and chaff. – By this you can guess that Meikle’s design might look a just a little bit like Leckie’s design.

Meikle's threshing machine
Illustration of Andrew Meikle’s Threshing Machine – The first successful thresher. Credit: The Commercial, Agricultural & Manufacturer’s Magazine (London, 1800)

As time passed, other inventors such as “Mr. Pope” (there was no mention of his first name), invented the earliest hand-powered versions of the thresher which were cheaper. The thresher was exhibited by his son Joseph Pope in 1823 in Baltimore, United States.

Pope's threshing machine
Design of Pope’s Threshing Machine in 1823. Credit: Public Domain

This is an image of other versions of the hand-operated thresher made my Barrett, Exall & Andrews in 1849.

Barrett, Exall & Andrews Thresing Machine

In the 18th to 19th century in Africa, threshing had a rather quite different approach based on tribe. As shown in the picture below, farmers in South Africa made use of horses in a cyclic movement over the crops on a threshing floor to thresh out the grains. This was also common practice across the world during that time.

Corn threshing in South Africa 1931
Corn threshing in South Africa 1931: Credit: Oxford University Press (London)

All the while in Egypt, cattle were used to thread over the grains on a threshing floor, after which the grains are gathered and further winnowed using the wind. The complexity of this process evolved over time from ancient Egypt era (5000 BP) to the 19th century. In one use-case, farmers rather sat on “threshing stool” and were pulled by the cattle. It was called the Noreg wheat threshing machine.

Powered by America’s oil revolution, Americans such as the Pitts Brothers and Cyrus McCormick did a great job by adding steam engines, diesel engine, tractors and more functionality to the mechanical threshing machine. This replaced cattle-powered threshing in the process. At this point, a farmer would love to have one machine that can do the work of a thresher and other machines as well. This led to the invention of the Combine harvester in 1835 in the United States. The first combine harvester, built by Hiram Moore, was capable of reaping, threshing and winnowing cereal grain. However, depending on the size of the farm, we still have various simpler versions of the thresher that are in use today.

Buffalo Pitts thresher

Will all this progress in mind, you might think that threshing in the 21st century in most part of Africa would also have advanced. What upsets the founders and all of us at SAYeTECH is that the use of sticks (not even the frail) is still being used by small-holder farmers in Africa.

manual threshing
Two farmers threshing soya with sticks

For reasons such as size of farm, lack of funds or livestock, millions of farmers in Africa endure up to 30% post-harvest losses due to manual threshing. Although most of these farmers mainly farm just to earn little money (which is barely enough) to cater for their families, they aren’t able to scale their farming, because they don’t have the machinery that will allow them to process higher volumes of their harvest. According to World Bank, over $4Billion is lost annually in Africa due to post-harvest losses, meanwhile billions are spent on importation of food. This presents the need for introduction of post-harvest equipment that can assist small-medium sized farms; machines that are smart enough to leverage aggregated farm and yield data to enable these farmers further enhance their output and tap into supply-chain opportunities.

SAYeTECH specializes in the manufacturing of smart post-harvest machinery such as multi-crop threshers, cereal dryers, multi-grain cleaners, cocoa pod breakers and more, all powered by IoT devices for telematics and digital connectivity. This presents a huge turn-around for the agricultural landscape in Africa, when companies such as SAYeTECH are backed to scale these solutions to save millions of farmers billions of profits and better quality of life. This will also lead to a more sustainable and profitable agricultural sector across Africa. With the right partnerships and continuous innovation, we also envision an iot-backed approach to mechanized farming with enhanced functionality, remoting monitoring and limitless opportunities for owners and supply-chain stakeholders.

Join us to make this adventure a success. For any kind of enquiry, reach out to us at admin@sayetech.io.
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Farm machine
Cocoa pod breaker

Empowering Women Farmers in Northern Ghana with Agricultural Machinery – Powered By FEED THE FUTURE

Soya farmers with their harvest threshed by Sayetech's multi-crop thresher
Soya farmers threshing their harvest with Sayetech's multi-crop thresher
Photo of soyabean farmers effortlessly threshing their harvest with Sayetech’s multi-crop thresher

For 500 smallholder women farmers in five communities in the Yendi Municipality, located Ghana’s Northern region, the arduous days of manual soybean threshing are becoming a memory, thanks to the grant from USAID supported Feed the Future Ghana Trade and Investment Activity and the innovation of SAYeTECH.

Traditionally, these hardworking women would spend countless hours in the fields, thrashing soybeans with sticks to extract the precious beans. This painstaking process not only demanded immense physical labor but also risked damaging the crops and led to significant post-harvest losses. The dream of efficient farming seemed distant, as the lack of access to modern agricultural machinery left them bound to time-worn methods.

But change was on the horizon. With the introduction of five multi-crop threshers funded by USAID and provided by SAYeTECH, a new era of convenience and efficiency dawned. The machines arrived like heralds of hope in the communities of Zang, Zagbang, Nakpachi, Gukpegu, and Kpasani, transforming the post-harvest season into a period of celebration and prosperity. A staggering 54 metric tons of soya was threshed in just one harvest season, saving each farmer up to a month of arduous threshing time.

The impact was immediate and profound for Musah Afishetu, a 40-year-old farmer among the first to experience the thresher’s efficiency, she marveled at how quickly her heaped soybeans turned into market-ready produce. “It’s like watching years of struggle melt away in a few hours,” she shared, her voice tinged with emotion and disbelief.

Soya farmers with their harvest threshed by Sayetech's multi-crop thresher
Photo of soyabean farmers taken after a successful soya threshing operation

Join us in celebrating this milestone for Yendi’s women farmers, a testament to the power of partnership and innovation.

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SAYeTECH’s Thresher is a profit-making machine; Says Madam Adiatu Mohammed

Aishatu Seidu Testimonial
Photo of Madam Adiatu Mohammed with the multi-crop thresher during her threshing session

In rural Ghana, where agricultural livelihoods often hang in the balance, the decision to invest in innovative farming technologies can be pivotal. To the farmer who barely makes enough from her harvest, the decision to employ a multi-crop thresher is majorly influenced by profitability. Will she make more money this time? How much more can she make? Madam Adiatu Mohammed is a soyabean farmer in Zang, a small community in the Yendi Municipality, in the Northern region of Ghana.
Her journey is emblematic of the transformative power of SAYeTECH’s agricultural machinery, particularly the multi-crop threshers. These machines, designed to streamline the laborious task of threshing, have not only lightened the physical burden for farmers but have also significantly enhanced profitability.

In her own words, Madam Adiatu shares her firsthand experience with the multi-crop thresher:

The machine is really helping us.

It is threshing the soya very well.

Due to that, we are able to make a lot more profit.

Watch her testimonial video below:

Her testimony underscores the tangible benefits that such technology brings to smallholder farmers, especially women who often face greater challenges in accessing resources and achieving financial independence.

The impact of these advancements extends beyond individual farms; it ripples through communities, fostering economic resilience and sustainable development. As Madam Adiatu’s story exemplifies, investing in tools that enhance agricultural productivity not only boosts incomes but also strengthens the social fabric of rural areas.

To all farmers, organizations, and supporters committed to driving positive change in agriculture, Madam Adiatu’s message is clear: embrace innovation, empower farmers, and together, let’s cultivate a future of prosperity for all.

Join us in championing this cause and explore how you can support our efforts in empowering female farmers like Madam Adiatu Mohammed.

To learn more or support, reach out to us via our contact page.

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Madam Aishatu Seidu recounts her experience with SAYeTECH’s multi-crop thresher

Aishatu Seidu Testimonial
Madam Aishatu Seidu with the multi-crop thresher
Photo of Madam Aishatu Seidu with the multi-crop thresher during her threshing session

Madam Aishatu Seidu, a Soyabean farmer in Sunsong, a village in the Yendi Municipal District in the Northern Region of Ghana, was one of the farmers in her community who used the service of our multi-crop thresher to thresh her two-acre soyabean harvest.
Below is her testimonial concerning the multi-crop thresher and her plea to NGO’s out there;

My name is Alidu Seidu
I am a farmer
The machine (multi-crop thresher) really helped us when it came
We used to use our hands to manually thresh
We were very happy when the machine came
If I, for instance, could get my own machine
I will be able to do more than the intitial two acres of soya
I will  be able to improve my standard of living
I will have enough to take my children to school
and cater for the family.

Watch her testimonial video below:

Madam Aishatu Seidu’s testimonial underscores the transformative impact of innovative agricultural technologies like our multi-crop thresher. With her heartfelt endorsement, it’s clear that these tools not only streamline laborious processes but also empower farmers to envision a brighter future for themselves and their families. As we continue our mission to support farmers across Ghana, we urge NGOs and stakeholders to heed Madam Seidu’s plea for increased access to such vital resources.

Are you a social impact organization, impact investor or Individual seeking to give back to your community? Why start a new impact-based project when you can join us to make greater impact? Our Impact Projects promises to deliver sustainable and scalable outcomes. Together, we can cultivate sustainable agricultural practices and uplift underprivileged communities towards prosperity.

To learn more or support, reach out to us via our contact page.

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Revolutionizing Maize Processing: AgroCenta’s Journey with SAYeTECH’s Multi Grain Cleaner

Testimonial featured image - Grain Cleaner.

Greetings, fellow agri-enthusiasts! Today, we’re excited to share an inspiring tale of innovation and the transformative impact of cutting-edge technology on maize processing. Francis Obirikorang, the visionary CEO of AgroCenta, shares on his experience with SAYeTECH’s revolutionary Multi-Grain Cleaner.

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Photo of a female farmer winnowing grains using air currents. Credit @agrocenta

A Bold Decision in 2021

“In 2021, we made the decision to purchase SAYeTECH’s Grain Cleaner for our maize cleaning operations”, says Francis Obirikorang. This decision, he emphasizes, was rooted in AgroCenta’s unwavering commitment to alleviating the challenges faced by small-holder farmers, particularly focusing on the well-being of women and their children.

Impressive Results: 2900 Metric Tons and Counting

Fast forward two years from 2021 to 2023, the results speak volumes. AgroCenta successfully processed an astonishing total of 58 truckloads of corn, each containing approximately 1000 50kg bags. That’s a staggering 2900 metric tons of maize, a testament to the efficiency and reliability of SAYeTECH’s Grain Cleaner.

Reliability in Action: A Testament to Quality

However, what sets this success story apart is not just the remarkable volume but the durability of SAYeTECH’s equipment. Francis notes, “We encountered the need for the cleaner’s first repair, but I am pleased to share that the repair process was remarkably straightforward, with readily available parts.” This underlines the practicality and resilience of SAYeTECH’s machinery.

Flawless Performance: A CEO’s Recommendation

With the repair seamlessly executed, the machine is currently functioning flawlessly. Francis Obirikorang wholeheartedly recommends SAYeTECH’s Multi-Grain Cleaner, labeling it as an invaluable asset for farmers, agri-business professionals, and NGOs striving to enhance the lives and work of smallholder farmers across the continent.

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Photos of the Multi Grain Cleaner at work

Conclusion: SAYeTECH – Paving the Way for Agricultural Excellence

In conclusion, this testimonial from AgroCenta’s CEO stands as a beacon of success and a testament to SAYeTECH’s commitment to agricultural excellence. The Multi-Grain Cleaner, along with their other top-notch equipment, emerges as a game-changer in post-harvest technology. Whether you’re a farmer, an agri-business professional, or an NGO with a mission to uplift smallholder farmers, SAYeTECH has proven itself as a reliable partner.

AgroCenta’s journey is a vivid reminder that with the right tools and innovation, the agricultural landscape can be transformed for the better. Here’s to SAYeTECH and AgroCenta – cultivating success, one grain at a time!

Celebrating ASME & ASME Foundation: Partnering in SAYeTECH’s Evolution

Thank you ASME

Thank You ASME!

In the landscape of SAYeTECH’s journey, pivotal moments have been shaped by invaluable partnerships, and among them stands the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). Their unwavering support and guidance have been instrumental in propelling us towards our vision of revolutionizing agriculture in Ghana.

ASME’s influence resonates deeply in our narrative. Back in 2018, when SAYeTECH starting up, our focus lay in designing equipment hand in hand with local artisans and farmers. However, amidst the ambition, challenges emerged—particularly in production quality and alignment.

It was ASME that stepped in, not just with encouragement but with tangible support. Upon becoming one of the winners of their Innovation Showcase called ASME ISHOW, ASME stepped into to support us on several levels. Their advisors became our guiding lights, helping us develop a robust framework for internal manufacturing, emphasizing stringent quality control. The funding provided by ASME enabled us to materialize our dream of setting up a manufacturing facility in Kumasi

Fast forward to today, ASME remains an integral part of our ecosystem. Their unwavering commitment continues to shine through as they stand by our engineering teams, providing invaluable assistance whenever requested. This support-level partnership has been more than just financial support. It has been a collaboration built on a shared vision of creating meaningful change in agriculture.

The impact metrics we proudly flaunt today—1,836 tons of grains saved, 4,725 women and children liberated from farm labor, 10,600+ farmers reached, and beyond—bear the indelible mark of ASME’s support. Their belief in our mission has fueled our pursuit of excellence and innovation.

ASME’s belief in SAYeTECH transcends the financial backing; it’s a testament to their commitment to fostering sustainable solutions and uplifting communities. Together, we’re not just building machines; we’re paving pathways towards a more inclusive and prosperous agricultural landscape.

We extend our deepest gratitude to ASME for being the cornerstone of our journey. Your belief, guidance, and support have been pivotal in shaping SAYeTECH’s evolution. As we look ahead, we remain committed to leveraging technology, innovation, and collaboration to create a future where agricultural progress knows no bounds.

Thank you, ASME and ASME Foundation, for being our unwavering partners in this transformative journey.

Honoring AutoDesk Foundation: Empowering SAYeTECH’s Agricultural Revolution

Autdesk Appreciation Design blog featured image

In the heartlands of Ghana, where the rhythm of life pulses with the cycles of agriculture, SAYeTECH stands as a beacon of innovation and transformation. Our journey began with a vision—to revolutionize the lives of smallholder farmers and uplift communities through the marriage of technology and agriculture.

At SAYeTECH, our commitment to empowering farmers and alleviating the burden of labor on women and children has been unwavering. Our strides towards achieving this noble goal have been supported by the invaluable contribution of AutoDesk. SAYeTECH got this support when the company attained the honorary finalist award from Autodesk-backed ‘DesignNext Africa’ competition in 2018.

For years, AutoDesk’s innovative suite of software has been our guiding light, enabling us to craft cutting-edge solutions that redefine post-harvest agriculture. The support we’ve received from AutoDesk Foundation, totaling over $65,000 worth of software since our inception, has been instrumental in shaping our journey. It’s through their software that the seeds of our ideas have found fertile ground to grow into life-changing equipment.

The multi-crop thresher; from design to rendering to production, powered by AutoDesk Inventor
The multi-crop thresher; from design to rendering to production, powered by AutoDesk Inventor

From multi-crop threshers to cereal dryers, multi-grain cleaners, cocoa-pod breaking machines, mills, and beyond, our array of smart post-harvest agricultural machines owes its genesis to the design capabilities of AutoDesk Inventor. These machines have not only saved tons of grains from loss but have also liberated 4,725 women and children from the toils of farm labor.

The impact goes far beyond numbers. The 10,600+ farmers reached stand as testimonies to the transformative power of technology when coupled with a profound mission. The 150,345 hours saved in schools, the $148,500 preserved in income for farmers, the 6,249 tons of carbon emissions saved, and the 227 jobs created stand as tangible markers of progress and a step in the right direction.

Through support-level collaborative efforts between SAYeTECH and AutoDesk, we’re not just designing machines; we’re crafting pathways out of poverty, we’re fostering education, and we’re championing sustainability. Together, we’re rewriting the narrative of agriculture—one that’s inclusive, efficient, and mindful of the environment.

We extend our deepest gratitude to AutoDesk and AutoDesk Foundation for their unwavering support. Their software has been the bedrock upon which our dreams have taken shape, and together, we’re sowing the seeds of change in the fields of Africa.

The Cocoa-pod breaking machine; from design to rendering to production, powered by AutoDesk Inventor
The Cocoa-pod breaking machine; from design to rendering to production, powered by AutoDesk Inventor

As we look towards the horizon, our commitment remains steadfast—to continue leveraging technology, innovation, and partnership to drive sustainable change in African Agriculture. Thank you, AutoDesk and AutoDesk Foundation, for being an indispensable ally in our mission to create a world where farming isn’t just a means of survival but a thriving opportunity for all.

Together, we are sculpting a future where poverty and hunger find no place amidst the abundance of Innovation and Service.

Justina’s Story at SAYeTECH

“In my second year of acquiring a degree in Logistics and Supply Chain Management from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, interning for Sayetech was one of the best experiences for me.

Initially, I had a few inhibitions about working for an agricultural manufacturing company because it wasn’t my usual field of play but I took this as an opportunity to challenge myself and be open to new things. Working with the business development team of Sayetech proved to be a real eye opener for me. I welcomed all the responsibilities I was presented with and learnt a lot. I got a real glimpse into the corporate world and it’s ups and downs.

I was so glad I took the opportunity to intern at sayetech. I met some really amazing people and gained a lot of skills in administrative work. I went on to even apply to be a part time administrative associate because I wasn’t ready yet to bring my learning process to an end. I’m in my third year and a part time administrative associate for Sayetech. Thank you Sayetech!”

 

-JUSTINA LARTEY