Digital manufacturing, especially 3D printing is increasingly improving the ‘ease of doing business’ in many sectors. The NCB pioneered this technology in Mauritius since 2019 by setting up two 3D Printing Service Centers. Two sectors, Agriculture and Fisheries were targeted for the 3D printing of parts which are either difficult to procure in the local market or are prohibitively expensive.

One such part, the “Graduated Injector Cylinder Head” (GICD) used in fertilizer injector pumps by hydroponic growers, often needs to be replaced from wear and tear or when in contact with corrosive materials. Unfortunately the GICD is not sold separately and the whole injector pump needs to be replaced at a cost of over $600.

To address this issue, the GICD was 3D modelled and printed by NCB using various filaments. Following several design and print cycles, the prototypes were then extensively tested by the Food and Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (FAREI) in live field tests. The prototypes were found to be up to commercial standards.

The non-profit selling price proposed by NCB for one GICD, based on ABS filament used, is at only $12. The project has gathered enormous interest among growers. NCB is now seeking the collaboration of the Ministry of Agro Industry to commercialise the GICDs through their farmer outlets.

https://ncb.govmu.org/ncb/3dprint

• Mauritius

• Remote and rural communities
• Entrepreneurs in the Agriculture Sector – Food Growers

The project is replicable in several manners:
a) Different sizes / models of GICD can be modelled and printed to suit different types of injector pumps
b) Other parts, suffering from wear and tear and which are hard to procure separately, such as parts for fruit pickers, hose splitters, gaskets, irrigation stakes, corn shellers and herbicide sprayers, will be 3D modelled, prototyped and tested.

This project is sustainable:
a) Economically since it allows growers to buy hard to find or expensive parts at non-profit prices
b) Environmentally since it allows the sourcing of products locally instead of imports

The Government of Mauritius is determined to encourage local production with the inclusion of innovation. The WSIS values are promoted as follows: a) Any Grower, irrespective of size, shall be given the same services. b) Growers will be free to use NCB 3D designs and produce spare parts with their own 3D Printers. c) NCB will offer its 3D Printing services free of charge to all growers