INNOVATOR PROFILE

Sena’s enthusiasm for innovation and creative solutions has led him to become a two time winner of the Do It Yourself category of the Challenge. Sena grew up in a farming family in Ghana and graduated from Tuskegee University, Alabama with an M.Sc of Plant and Soil Science. He now works as an agronomist and a Post-Harvest Specialist working for Tuskegee University Cooperative Extension Program. Sena has won the Trellis Grant twice from the Horticulture Innovation Lab at the University of California at Davis. He is a constant innovator and fixer; from repairing the local solar dryer to helping build zero energy cooling chambers for farmers in Ghana. His continued commitment to small farmers highlights the importance of accessible, practical solutions that improve working conditions and food safety.

INNOVATION

Constructed with affordable, locally available materials, the station improves efficiency in produce sorting, bubble washing, and storage while incorporating features for integrated pest management and COVID-19 safety. The station can be easily assembled and disassembled making it mobile for the farm.

PROBLEM SOLVED

Small farms are able to get more post-harvest activities done with less time without having to invest in an array of expensive equipment. This station serves as a beginner equipment module before moving forward with purchasing advanced equipment. The station is economical and handles with ease, giving a small, beginning farmer time to identify their actual needs without breaking the bank.

HOW TO BUILD IT & WHAT ARE THE COSTS?

Estimated cost is $350 when certain items are purchased as a group and shared across multiple builds. If everything is purchased individually at retail, the cost can go up to $920, especially when buying fixtures that are sold as whole units but only partially used in the build. Materials include a new 55-gallon food-grade plastic drum cut into two standing halves, water-resistant plywood, basic lumber, crate stands, a removable and adjustable plexiglass shield, and hardware for assembly.

Construction requires basic carpentry skills and access to common tools like a saw, drill, and measuring tape. The structure is designed to be assembled and taken down quickly, making it portable and practical for small-scale operations. The sorter platform flips into a working bench, and the added protection with plexiglass makes it safer for workers during face-to-face tasks.

The design is simple enough to be replicated and adapted in different settings. It can be built and taught through hands-on training, and a construction manual can be created if needed to support broader adoption.

The Multi-Purpose Use station was named after Sena’s dad Mr. Kwaku Dagbe Ahiabor, who was his mentor.

Watch Sena operate his Multi-Purpose Farm Use Station: