This section is divided in:

• Father Lazarus ground truth from Namibia.
• Background Information
• Economic Information
• Laboratory research (described in the prototypes section)

Background Information
(24 July 2008)
Summary of Conversations with Aaron Wieler (in India at the moment, but was in Namibia 2006-2007)
Stalks of Mahangu are stored short term in huts that look like round baskets on legs.


For most of the time, the pearl millet is stored threshed, but not winnowed. A family might rent a car to drive over their year's harvest of mahangu which would thresh it, but not winnow it. This costs around $15 U.S. Alternatively, they might pound it by hand in a specially prepared hole. In both of these cases, the grain gets mixed with grit and dirt and still needs to be winnowed to separate the chafe from the edible grain.

The grain is pounded into flour once a week. Another option is to carry a 10 liters (?) bucket of grain to the local Shimini each month, where it costs about $1.30 U.S. to get the grain milled into flour using an automated machine.







External links with information about millet and threshing

Wheat thresher from Hampshire College
Aaron Wieler - Bicycle Ambulance in Namibia
Performance evaluation of an Okra Thresher
FAO report on threshing
Thomas Jefferson Agriculture report on pearl millet
Pearl millet report by CRIAASA-DC for Namibian Government
Pearl millet consumption in urban areas in Namibia