Page 119 - NEW ENERGIES Beyond Data

a
y
ureen Sund
Maureen Sunday
Ma
F armer
Farmer
Abaribara, cross river State

My childhood dream was to become a teacher, but life had different plans for me. Today, I am a farmer.

Cassava farming, while rewarding, is far from easy. The physical demands and the sheer amount of work
involved can be overwhelming. The process of making Garri, a staple product derived from cassava, is

laborious and time-consuming. I used to depend on a diesel engine to grind the cassava, and the noise, the
fumes from the diesel engine, and the time required for these tasks were significant burdens.

The installation of a solar mini grid in my community, and the provision
of a solar-powered cassava grinding machine has relieved me of so

many burdens.

This new equipment has made my work more efficient. The grinder runs smoothly with just the flick of a
switch, eliminating the need for noisy, fuel-hungry machinery. It has saved me a considerable amount of
time and effort, allowing me to serve an average of 20 customers every day.

In the face of tough economic conditions, my cassava farming has become a stable source of income, to

support my family and meet our needs. This business is not just a livelihood but a lifeline.

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