It is a simple manual CORN SHELLER.

Corn is  pushed through one end and it quickly and easily removes the kernels. The traditional way of doing this is to beat the corn cobs inside a sack. However, this damages up to 40% of the kernels which are then not sellable. This little device makes removing kernels fast and easy an preserves almost all of the kernels. It was invented in 2008 by product designers from Stanford University's "Design for Extreme Affordability" program, who researched the idea in Ethiopia. A manufacturer with connections to Transformation Ethiopia has recently put it into production.

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So, who thought of it and how did it get into production?

Some  product designers from Stanford University's "Design for Extreme Affordability" program visited Ethiopia in 2008. They did extensive research to find simple ways to improve the economic status of poor farmers. Eventually, this idea was born. They were then connected with a missions-minded manufacturer in southern Ethiopia. This individual developed the means of production and, because of his connections with Transformation Ethiopia, it is now being distributed for a small profit in the rural villages by our CDE's, helping the farmers there.

This simple but effective product is now benefiting poor farmers, increasing rapport across ethnic and religious barriers, giving the CDE's some additional income, and bringing some profit to the manufacturer thus increasing his resources for supporting missions.      return to "Current Projects"