I am Blessing Ihejirika, a native cassava processor in Rivers State, Nigeria, and I’ll share my labor-intensive journey of transforming cassava into garri, a staple food that sustains my community. From harvesting cassava to processing it with a mechanical grinder, my livelihood is deeply rooted in this tradition.

After grinding, the process involves bagging and pressing the cassava to remove excess starch, using sticks in a physically demanding task. The drying period varies, and the subsequent phase of frying the garri brings health challenges due to firewood smoke, impacting our respiratory health and eyesight. Despite the challenges, my community perseveres, driven by the necessity of producing this essential food item.

A hopeful turn in my story emerges with the possibility of introducing solar technology in our area. Solar-powered machinery offers the promise of reduced costs and health risks, countering our unsustainable reliance on diesel for machinery. The introduction of solar power signifies a move towards sustainability, improved health standards, and increased productivity for cassava processors like me.

The impact would not only alleviate financial burdens but also create a healthier working environment by eliminating smoke from firewood, with our community eager to embrace this technology. This shift would be profound, signifying sustainability, improved health standards and increased profitability for cassava processors like me.