Development and Evaluation of an Elephant Grass Chopping Machine for Animal Feed Preparation on Smallholder Farms

This study presents the design, fabrication, and evaluation of an elephant grass chopping machine developed to improve animal feed preparation for smallholder farms in tropical regions.The machine was designed to achieve a target capacity of 500 kg/h, featuring a rotary cutting mechanism and feeding rollers powered by a dual electric motor drive system to ensure stable performance, safety, and ease of operation.Adjustable chopping lengths (2 -5cm) were incorporated to meet the nutritional requirements of different livestock species.A prototype was constructed using locally available materials and tested under real-world farm conditions.Results indicated that the machine produced uniform chopped segments, minimized feed wastage, and improved digestibility, thereby enhancing the efficiency of feed utilization.These outcomes demonstrate the machine's potential to reduce labor intensity, optimize feed preparation, and support sustainable livestock production in rural areas.By combining technical efficiency with local material utilization, the development offers a cost-effective solution that addresses the processing challenges faced by smallholder farmers, contributing to improved productivity and food security in resource-limited settings.