Idea Profile

plantain processing for the production of flour

Plantain, a tropical crop, contains carbohydrate and iron. It is generally consumed in more primitive forms like; boiled, deep-fried, roasted or porridged. The most unexplored use of plantain is its capacity to be used for the production of flour. When plantain is dried and ground, it gives an equivalent of wheat flour.
Useful in that it supplements wheat flour, which is expensive in third world countries due to importation costs, and complements the same in the rest of the world. It is eco friendly as the barks of plantain tubers can be recycled to give natural fertilizers which conserve the soil's richness and ensure the satisfaction of the present generation without compromising that of future generations. Alleviates poverty and misery through the creation of jobs.
Since bread and all other pastries are consumed by every household in the world, the market for the product is wide and indiscriminate of age, colour, race, riches, poverty or creed.

13 comments
562 reads
10 fans

Category : Consumer Products, Food & Agriculture

Comments

Baantaar wrote on Mon, 10/26/2009 - 08:09

I believe the idea coming from this young researcher is not only original in a country like Cameroon,where alot of food rot is not always avoided but will open up new horizons for consumers as far as this tropical food crop is concerned and equally but not onlycreate jobs for the young graduates of Cameroon who are flooding the streets every year from universities and others with nothing to do.Besides boosting food self sufficiency winthin the country through such a transformation,it will also solve the problem of constant price hike for flour from wheat,and equally cover food shortages in arears like the Central and West Afican subregion where Cameroon happens to be a serious contributor to this region's food markek.This project is equally environmentally freindly and can serve as a booster for rural development and curb reral exodus thereby limitting population pressure on the urban centres.

cathygirl wrote on Tue, 10/27/2009 - 04:48

It's awesome.I think this Idea would be beneficial not only to Cameroon and Africa,but to the whole world.Flour is consumed by every home.The rich,the poor,black white i mean just everybody.A project which will benefit the whole world,It's great.

Pretta Cameroon, Central Africa wrote on Tue, 10/27/2009 - 14:12

thank you cathygirl. That is just it, for the whole world. In a world where food shortage is an issue in almost every continent, the transformation of plantains to flour will go a long way to feed the world. The amount of plantains i see rotting in our markets everyday is alarming.

matt_farrar London wrote on Wed, 10/28/2009 - 06:43

This sounds great. Do you have any thoughts on how to make it happen? Maybe packs could be produced on the process and what's needed on a limited budget? A partnership with NGOs and charitable organizations could make some of this kit more readily available.

Temaneh wrote on Wed, 11/04/2009 - 08:44

Great idea, which should be given a chance to put smiles on the faces of hundred of thousands around the world. Man can live without many things, but without food it is impossible to talk about life for more than a short while.

Temaneh wrote on Thu, 11/05/2009 - 08:48

Technology is good but anything that has to do with food is better. A man dying of hunger can hardly have time for any technological innovation. So this idea is of paramount importance to many around the world today, especially with the present food shortage.

aggy bamenda wrote on Fri, 11/06/2009 - 09:53

What a wonderful idea.

mingenge wrote on Sat, 11/07/2009 - 14:15

u go gurl!!!!

BB__ Montreal wrote on Tue, 11/10/2009 - 00:29

This is a truly excellent idea that transcends the notion of "thinking outside the box" by using the local reality as a starting point! Well done.

Baantaar wrote on Tue, 11/10/2009 - 12:39

I will continue to say that this is an amazing idea indeed. Not only will this help in a world of food shortage, but it will also go a long way to help diabetic patients. Diabetic patients can't consume carbohydrate and as such don't consume flour because of its carbohydrate content. The only carbohydrate a diabetic patient can consume is found in plantain. Just imagine! its truly amazing the range at which this idea can go. kudos!

Reverse Engineer Los Osos, CA wrote on Mon, 11/23/2009 - 12:40

Curious to know the current and/or best/most appropriate tech/processes for drying/grinding plantains to flour at the village/regional level? Could we use some research/development to optimize some low-tech methods?

Pretta Cameroon, Central Africa wrote on Tue, 11/24/2009 - 11:03

Thanks for the comment Richard. Actually, the current method of doing this locally is peeling the plantains and slicing it up then blanching it in order that the plantain pores open up and lose most of its water. Then it is dried under the sun, very hot sun in order that it dries quickly, after which, it is ground to flour using the usual grinding mill.
Definitely all the research and development necessary can be used to optimize low-tech methods.
looking forward to reading more from you.

casmir Asaba wrote on Tue, 12/01/2009 - 05:03

The idea sounds very good.Please is it possible to get a machine that can help in drying the plantain very fast?
Do you know the shelf life of dried and grinded plantain?

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plantain processing for the production of flour

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This idea was voted as one of the top ten entries by the Challenge Your World community during our Idea Challenge, from September to November 2009. Each of the top 10 IdeaMakers will receive direct support to assess the potential of their idea and develop it towards a sustainable business.

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