How to Start Garri Production Industry in Nigeria

Garri production is a lucrative business in Nigeria. The ability for cassava to grow in virtually all parts of Nigeria makes it easy to start. Garri is a popular food consumed in almost all homes in Nigeria and the market is never down.

In this article, you will be learning things to consider when setting up your factory and how to set up your market.

What to Consider When Setting Up Garri Production Industry

The garri production industry requires certain tools and resources. Here are some of the important things to consider when setting up your industry.

1. Raw Materials

The basic raw material for garri production is Cassava. For a successful garri production industry set-up, you need to have your raw materials readily available.

2. Tools and Equipment

When setting up a factory, you will need a grinding machine, a presser, sievers, frying pans and a heating source. Make sure you have all these pieces of equipment readily available at set-up.

3. Production Space

You don’t need to have a large space to set up your industry. As long as it can fit your production for the day, you are good to go.

4. Electricity or Power Source:

Electricity is key if you want to do well in this type of business. If you can’t get constant electricity, you should be prepared for an alternative source of power.

How to Set up the Garri Production Factory

The factory for producing the garri should have at least two separate doors for entrance and exit. The walls can be made of bricks to be plastered. A typical garri factory consists of two sections, Wet and dry areas.

1. The wet area

The wet area where the equipment used for peeling; washing, grading and removing excess water (by pressing) are placed. You should try to prevent algae or fungus attacks in this area by performing routine cleaning. It should be kept dry in every which way to minimize these. In other ways, it can be made open to sunlight to reduce the effect of algae and fungus attacks.

2. The dry area

The dry area is where the frying and packaging plants are placed. It includes offices as well as stores for finished and raw materials for production. This area should be kept dry at all times.

Process of Production of Garri

1. Sorting

This is the process of removing the defective cassava tubers from the effective ones. It is usual to have some root tubers being damaged. The sorting should be done to remove the rotten cassava tubers from the supplies before further processing.

2. Peeling

Removing the peels of the cassava tubers either manually with a knife, or mechanically with a peeling machine.

3. Washing

This is placing the peeled cassava tubers into a washing machine to get rid of sand particles and debris. It can also be done locally with the use of some water in a bowl and mild sponges.

4. Grating

This is a process of reducing the cassava to smaller shreds by rubbing it on a grater. It is otherwise regarded as mild grinding.

5. Pressing and Fermentation

This is a process in which the constituents are separated, mostly the water and starch from cassava flakes. It can be done with a local presser as little as placing a stone or large piece of log on the sack of the wet flakes, or the use of advanced pressing machines for a larger production. Fermentation is the process of chemical breakdown of a substance by bacteria, yeasts, or other microorganisms. This is carried out to get rid of a certain amount of starch in the cassava. It is done by soaking the cassava earlier peeled in a container for some days, usually three or more.

6. Sieving

This is a process of removing the bigger flakes of the mesh from the smaller ones. It is done manually with the use of sieves or sieving machines. This is done to achieve a standard of fine granules after being dried through frying.

7. Frying

This is a process of dry-frying the flakes retrieved from the presser. It is done with a certain amount of heat, usually to achieve two main results drying and cooking. It can also be done locally or with the use of heaters for a larger production.

8. Packaging

This is the process of placing the already processed cassava flakes into a sack or container. It can also be placed in a nylon bag into a box. This is presented nicely and can be advantageous to the producer or company. This as well can be done manually or mechanically with the use of a packaging machine.

Marketing Your Produce

The market potential for garri is huge and stable in Nigeria. Garri is used for making Eba as well as for direct consumption in most homes. It is consumed by all classes in most regions of Nigeria, young and old making the market for the product very buoyant. It is very important to note the location of the factory by placing in mind the raw material and the market. Cassava is cultivated virtually everywhere in the South, East and West of Nigeria, with little cultivation in the North. It is important to not only note the availability of cassava but also keep in mind the types and variety of the raw material. This will go a long way in marketing the value of the product itself. It is important to go for garri with high dry matter content since they would be used for garri production. 

Hence, it is paramount to note the right place to establish the factory as well as the market condition of the area. It is also important to acquire the right machines for the right task in the processing phase of the commodity, making sure that all purchased machines are stainless and easy to maintain. Also, it is important to check out that the spare parts and maintenance of these machines are easily available in the nearby environment.

Another key to consider in the production of garri is the environment. Endeavour to keep the environment clean at all times. A hygienic environment will surely foster progress and prosperity.

Registration of Your Factory

As a business owner, it is important to register the cassava factory under a body. Register your industry with the National Agency for Food, Drugs and Control (NAFDAC). It is of great importance to have the factory inspected by the Establishment Inspection Directorate of NAFDAC. After which, a Certificate is assigned to the establishment termed the Certificate of Recognition. You do better in business when you follow due process.