Hi, everyone. I'll be taking us through the A,B,Cs of Garri processing and how investors can make good money from this venture.

Note: The process I'll be taking us through is the mechanized Garri processing technique and not the outdated traditional technique.

WHY MECHANIZED TECHNIQUE?

Traditional Garri processing technique has outlived its importance in the Nigerian state.
This is because the traditional Garri processing techniques cannot measure up to the Garri demand of the growing Nigerian population.
Hence, the need for us to embrace the use of machines in our Garri processing, as it is being done in some other countries.

This mechanized method operates with little labour input and promises high productivity for profit maximization. Also, the traditional method has been unable to meet the hygienic needs of garri consumers. Food hygiene is very important.

Therefore, It is justifiable that we look into & focus on the modern/ mechanized technique which is rapidly replacing the traditional technique in recent times.

Why venture into Garri processing business?

There are numerous businesses you can invent your time & money in. I'll itemize the reasons why you should consider the Garri processing business at this present moment.

1) Availability of raw material

Cassava, which is the raw material for making Garri is readily available. As at today, Nigeria still remains the largest producer of cassava in the whole world with over 34 million tonnes of cassava being produced every year!
Therefore, sourcing for raw cassava for your factory will be very easy.

2) Increasing demand

Gone are the days when garri was referred to as the food for the poor. Right now, Nigerians, rich and poor, eat garri almost every day.

Research shows that demand for garri is not just stable, it is growing in recent years. So, there's no need to worry about selling your product. The market is already on ground and can consume any tons of garri you produce.

3) Great export potentials

Apart from local demand, garri also possess substantial export potentials. This is because garri is as well popular in most other african countries, west african countries especially. Nigerians and other west africans abroad likewise demand for this food product.

When you package your Garri for export to countries like Uk and US, you'll make profit in pounds & dollars!

4) No prior experience is required

You can start this business with no prior experience. It can be done as a side business while also doing other businesses.

5) Rapid break even time

Break even point is that time when you earn the total amount you invested in a business back (in profits).
For instance, say you used 2 million naira to start a Garri business, the point in time at which you earn your initial investment (2 million naira) back in profits is the break even time.

The break even time for garri processing business is very rapid, between 6 months to 1 year (depending on scale of production).

6) Varied choices of product

You might choose to venture into producing red garri, white garri, ijebu Garri, koko Garri etc. So, you have a choice. Nevertheless, the general production of these different types of garri involves almost the same steps.

7) Lucrative nature of the business

Garri processing business is very lucrative, especially when you do it large scale. You can process 3 tonnes of cassava into 1 tonne of garri (i.e 3:1).
A profit analysis survey estimated that on average, you'll make between 150 - 300 dollars in profit on every tonne of processed garri flour you produced and sell in your factory.

8] Cooperative-based organizations can profit from it

The garri processing business is possible for both individual Small businesses or Cooperative-based organisations.
For cooperative organizations, they get the equipments, get people to manage and produce on their behalves. The profit comes to the cooperative’s purse.

...

What you'll need to start the Garri processing business:

1) Business plan: You need to design a business plan for the Garri business you wanted to embark on.
This will be a blueprint that'll help you succeed in the business.
You can do this yourself or employ the service of an expert to design one for you.

2. Starting Capital: For a complete mechanized Garri factory line, you'll need a starting capital of about 4 to 5 million naira.
For mini start up (using the traditional method, basically), less than 1 million will do.

3. Factory space: A plot of land or two is okay for one factory line. You will need more space when you expand to 3 factory lines and above.
A good drainage system is required in a Garri business too because garri processing gives away a lot of water waste.

The factory structure will be divided into two:
— WET SECTION: This is where the machines used for activities involving water will be positioned e.g the cassava peeler, grater, dewatering machine & the fermentation rack.
— DRY SECTION: The machines operating dry are positioned here e.g the fryer, the sifter and the hammermill. Packaging and storing of the processed garri will also be done at this section.

What are the machines you'll need for the Garri processing business?

1. THE CASSAVA PEELER:

—This machine removes the brown skin and the white cortex of the raw cassava.
—It can peel between 2.5 to 3 tonnes of cassava in our hour.
—In addition to peeling, the peeler also wash-clean the cassava neatly.

2. THE GRATER OR PULPING MACHINE:

—This machine crushes the peeled cassava into flakes.
—This machine can also grate 2.5 - 3 tonnes of cassava into pulps in an hour.

3. DE-WATERING MACHINE:

— After the wet cassava flakes had been left to ferment for 2-3 days, the next step is dewatering.
— This hydraulic press machine compresses the fermented cassava flakes & can dewater the flakes up to 30% moisture content for easy frying.

Continue...

This educative, please hope that's not where the lecturing ends.
Continue.....

nuelc:
This educative, please hope that's not where the lecturing ends.
Continue.....

Lecture will continue soon. Thanks for reading.

4. SIFTER:

— This machine sieves the garri using advanced vibration technique.
— You just have to pour the dewatered flakes in batches and the machine will do the work for you.
—The garri particles will pass through the sieve, and all other inedible components will be left on the sifter.
— The sifter prepares the garri for frying.

5. FRYER:

— This is a stainless steel frying oven capable of frying up to 1 ton of garri in a single day.
— It is well insulated, so you're free from burns and other health hazards associated with the manual (traditional) garri frying.
— An electric source will drive the rotating hands of fryer while charcoal, firewood, etc will be used as heat source for the fryer.
— It is smoke-free as every smoke generated from the frying process will be conveyed out of the work area with the help of a chimney that'll be installed with it.

For a standard garri line, you might need an additional machine in conjunction with the ones mentioned above.
However, this machine is optional because another well-known cheaper machine can be used to improvise its work.
What is this very last machine? Why is it not so important? These and more will be discussed in the next post. STAY TUNED.

Pls where is your Hari industry farm, I do like to visit with my team.

debbra:
Pls where is your Hari industry farm, I do like to visit with my team.

Hi, madam.. Which state are you at?

Great thread