–> Who: You or someone you know…
–> What: …can submit a design for a low-cost dryer to help the rural poor and win $3,000-$6,000 in prize money.
–> How: Read about this design challenge and learn how to submit your solutions.
Recognizing the value of crowdsourcing to develop solutions in resource constrained areas, Opportunity International- Nicaragua is pleased to announce an exciting opportunity to earn some cash and a trip to Nicaragua while making a difference.
Think you have what it takes? Check out the details below and propose your solution by March 24!
Food Processing Technology for the Rural Poor:
Cost Effective Cassava/Yucca Drying
AWARD: $3,000-$6,000 USD + optional travel | DEADLINE: 03/24/12
Questions and submissions can be directed to:
Samantha Lynne Snabes
Young Ambassadors for Opportunity
samanthasnabes@yahoo.com
Opportunity International-Nicaragua
Committed to increasing farmers’ incomes through the transfer of appropriate technology, training and technical assistance, Opportunity International has co-invested in a processing plant located in Granada, Nicaragua. Currently the facility does not have a viable drying solution and wishes to identify or design a cassava drying technology to support its mid-scale starch/flour processing facility for$100,000). By designing a dryer that can efficiently support a 3 ton/hour mid-scale yucca drying operation, persons in remote areas will have ongoing opportunity to competitively sell flour locally and overseas.
The ideal solution:
- will at a minimum be able to dry 3 tons/hour of grated and pressed cassava to 11% moisture content in a batch or continuous flow system.
- offers adjustable air flow, humidity, and temperature controls
- is supported in remote areas
- low power consumption
- low maintenance
- can tolerate more than one fuel source
- required little technical training
- high fidelity
- simple user interface
- one level of redundancy
- minimal user time required
Preference will be given to solutions that can be achieved with materials that are locally accessible (e.g. rice husk/skins are the lowest cost abundant fuel in Granada).
Those submissions that can be scaled to support a 10 ton/hour input will be considered for an additional award of $2,000.
Winning submissions will be offered an additional opportunity to travel to Nicaragua and participate in the project implementation.
This is a Reduction to Practice Challenge, which has the following unique features:
There is no guaranteed award. The awards will be paid to the best submission(s) as solely determined by the reviewers. The total payout may be up to $6,000.
The Solvers are not required to transfer exclusive intellectual property rights to Opportunity International Nicaragua. Rather, by submitting a proposal, the Solvers grants to Opportunity International a royalty-free, perpetual, and non-exclusive license to use any information included in this proposal.
After the Challenge deadline, proposals will be reviewed and a decision will be made with regards to the Winning Solution(s). All individuals that submitted a proposal will be notified on the status of their submissions; however, no detailed evaluation of individual submissions will be provided.
Good Luck!!!
Questions and submissions can be directed to:
Samantha Lynne Snabes
Young Ambassadors for Opportunity
samanthasnabes@yahoo.com
Opportunity International-Nicaragua