“If you are not developing new prototypes, then you are not making progress.”
For the next two weeks a US based Mechanical Engineer will be visiting myAgro Mali. Bringing with him 10 years of experience, Pro Engineer® software and a 3D mouse – his goal will be to create CAD drawings and a 3D diagram of our most recent semoir prototype. In addition to the drawings he will also help us develop a manufacturing QC process, and make suggestions as needed on design adjustments that could enhance the durability and functionality of the planter.
In preparation for this undertaking he joined us in Kandia village outside of Bamako to see a live demonstration of the planter. After helping two farmers clear a section of the field he picked up his pencil and began recording observations. He mentioned that watching the farmers interactions paired with actually being (standing) in the farmers own context helped him get in their shoes and enabled him to offer more insightful feedback on the semoir’s design.
As we walked back from the test site through recently harvested maize fields he told me, “If you are not developing new prototypes, then you are not making progress”. It was good to hear and confirmation to those who have spent many hours integrating farmer feedback into new generations of planters.
