This archive report was first published on 31 August 2019.
On a typical day at a grocery store in Eldoret, a small plastic tin placed on a sack of beans may go unnoticed. However, a closer look reveals a digital clock attached to the lid, displaying a figure and a percentage that blinks repeatedly.
This is not just any ordinary tin, but a moisture meter, an innovative creation of Dr. Isaiah Muchilwa, a lecturer at the department of electrical and communications engineering at Moi University.
According to Dr. Muchilwa, the moisture meter, dubbed Mootle, has been years in the making, with the goal of assisting grain growers in reducing post-harvest losses.
‘This machine monitors the level of moisture or humidity in dried grains such as maize and rice, oil seeds, legumes like beans, vegetables, fruits, and even dried fish and omena,’ Dr. Muchilwa explains, adding that it also checks for adulteration in honey.
Seeds of Gold found Dr. Muchilwa demonstrating the Mootle at the grocery store, showcasing its potential in the agricultural sector.
