The technology is suited to the resource and weather condition in Kisumu County. It is useful for making hay from the grass cut in our compounds, stovers from farm harvests (rice, maize, wheat, millet) and also purposefully planted fodder crops such as lucern, rhodes boma grass and others. Grasses and other fodder are quite light which make the scything easier and also made into hay with only 1 to 2 days of good sun.
The technology is made of a simple wooden box into which the hay is compressed using a pad on a lever. A string is put in first and can be tied up through slots in the door. Hay is fed from the top, compressed with the lever, tied off then the door opened to release perfect bales, small and light enough to be easily handled (transported, stored and removed for feeding animals.
OSIEPE members are encouraged to prospect for any modification to make the technology even more affordable and effective on their farms.
The design and operating procedures of the technology of Manual Baler can be accessed from the resources page of OSIEPE website.