Activity Description: Tonnet Enterprise, a Uganda based agro-processing firm, has introduced an improved manually-operated groundnut (peanut) sheller for local farmers.

Capable of shelling 300 to 400 kilogrammes of groundnuts per hour, the sheller is made of steel plates, but is light enough to be portable. Each unit sells for sh250,000 (appx.US$137).

Traditionally, farmers shell with wooden pestles, however this slower process is more likely to damage grains, cause grains to mix with broken pods, stones and dust, and scatter grains during grinding. As a result farmers jeopardize their ability to sell to external markets.