Rural Industrialisation via Energy Technologies (RIVET)

The project will help deliver SDG 12.5 - reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse. Cassava peel and stem waste is an underutilised resource. A containerised technology developed by PyroGenesys called PyroPower, can convert cassava waste into renewable heat and electricity for productive commercial use at a factory or community level.

This project will demonstrate that PyroPower process heat and electricity can be integrated with a novel garri frying system and waste biomass dryer, to be developed and fabricated in partnership with the Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Oshodi (FIIRO).

Cassava is a starchy root crop that is harvested year-round, peeled, grated, pressed and then "fried" to produce "garri" a toasted granular staple food for millions of Africans. Hence, improving the informal methods currently used to harvest cassava and produce most garri should significantly reduce firewood use, benefit women's health and reduce deforestation.

Agridrive is a Nigerian social enterprise working with farming communities to improve production methods, increase crop yields and better manage agricultural inputs, outputs and resources. Agridrive facilitates the adoption of mechanised farming methods which typically improve planting, harvesting and crop transportation, all of which would help coordinate the efficient operation of PyroPower-integrated garri processing facilities. During the project, Agridrive will engage and encourage adoption of the innovation within 3 cassava growing communities selected for their suitability to host a PyroPower-integrated garri processing demonstrator in Stage 2\.

The project also helps to deliver SDG 8.5 - productive employment and decent work for all women and men. Women in Engineering, Science and Technology (WEST) is a not-for-profit organisation that will work with all project partners, participating communities and other stakeholders to assist PyroGenesys with developing an effective strategy for recruiting, training and retaining female PyroPower plant operators and technicians. WEST's work will also inform the development of equipment fabrication training courses delivered and accredited by FIIRO. The training will be used to build an equipment and components supply chain across Nigeria.