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DESIGN AND MANUFACTURE OF A THREE STAGE STOVER STOCKFEED PLANT USING APPROPRIATE TECHNOLOGY 1 Shelta Majowa, 2Callisto Muzongondi, Harare Polytechnic Division of Mechanical Engineering, Box CY407,Causeway, Harare Zimbabwe Telephone: 263 733 617851 shem50058@ [cmuzongondi@] ABSTRACT In Zimbabwe cattle production and general farming has been affected by prolonged droughts. These results in the scarcity of grazing pastures during off season yet farmers will have realised some harvests resulting in the need for the engineering trainers to focus on the development of local products using appropriate technology to quickly curb these challenges. A three stage stock feed maker plant was designed and manufactured by different engineering experts and students with relevant qualifications and at different levels, using locally available materials for easy maintenance and replacement to suit the Zimbabwean environment. This plant uses corn stock and other agricultural residue to make stock feed substituting the traditional palletising which stores less stock but bulky. The machine cuts the stover (farm harvest residue) into 20mm pieces, mixes with other additives and compresses the feed into 40mm x 40mm, 8kg bales that can store moisture for at least six months. The machine is made of a cutting section, a screw conveyor, a mixer and a hydraulic baler. Key words: chaffing, compression, mixing, appropriate technology, manufacturing processes Introduction In order to survive during off season and drought cattle farmers need an alternative supplementary feed for their livestock that is manufactured close to home. In cases of drought the drought stricken crops can make acceptable feeds for cattle assuming rations are balanced appropriately and that good management practices are followed. The traditional after harvest palletising of stover (farm residue e.g. corn stock) has proved to be not suitable to keep the stover throughout the off season calling for a better method with imp