Food security is becoming a big problem in Papua New Guinea and other places, especially as the population grows and the weather changes. Taro is one of the main root crops in PNG and is an essential food for many people. It is not only a basic food but is also becoming more valuable in markets because many people want to buy fresh and processed food. But like other root crops, taro goes bad quickly and starts to rot a few days after it is harvested. Because of this, it is hard for Local farmers to sell fresh taro far away or keep it for a long time.

One way to preserve taro and reduce waste is by grating it into pulp and using it to prepare various food products or drying it for storage. In this study, a multi-purpose electrically powered taro grating machine was designed, built, and tested. The machine uses greater blades set at two different tooth angles of 25˚ and 30˚ to improve grating performance and quality. Test results showed that the blade with a 30˚ angle produced better grating efficiency because it offered more grip on the taro and reduced the amount of un-grated material. This machine provides a faster, safer, and more hygienic method for grating taro, and can help small-scale farmers reduce waste, add value to their crop, and increase income.