Umudike Journal of Engineering and Technology

A potato sorting machine that is affordable and effective was developed and constructed using locally sourced material. Sorting being the most important processes in potato production allows for prompt handling before they decay; thus assisting producers to benefit maximally. Although handpicking is the cheapest sorting process, it is however not effective. Most available imported sorters are sophisticated and very expensive, hence, necessitating the development of this sorter. The machine on evaluation has an average output of 3380kg/h. The final cost of the machine is ₦85,000.00. It has low labour requirement, low maintenance cost and very easy to maintain with an overall grading efficiency of 99.1% and mechanical efficiency of 1.9%. Its usage is recommended at all levels for mass production, dissemination and commercialization to make potato sorting easier and harness all the benefits prior to processing.