Interdisciplinary cooperation to develop strategies for improved solar drying of crops in rural farming communities of Uganda

We aim to develop joint research projects focusing on improved solar dryers for crops in Uganda.

The dryers should result in a short drying time and be designed focusing on keeping as much nutrients as possible, be produced locally and be socially acceptable to the smallholder farmers.

Persistent post-harvest loss and wastage of dryable crops due to their harvesting in big volumes over a short period coupled with inappropriate drying technologies is partly responsible for poverty and malnutrition in rural farming communities of Uganda.

Poor drying techniques, e.g., open air solar drying, increases mold and fungal growth on crops, leading to low quality products that are not acceptable on the export market.

For these reasons, an improved drying technique could reduce food waste, increase revenue for the farmers due to higher market prices for the crops, and create new entrepreneurship possibilities. However, introducing a new technology for rural farmers cannot be done in a social vacuum.

Old traditions and social factors such as gender structures, food tastes and preferences, and market for dried products are important.

The proposed collaboration aims to develop and promote solar drying technology co-produced with farmers rather than for the farmers through a participatory action research approach.

This project will identify socio-economic and cultural possibilities and constraints for improved solar food drying by initiating a network for future research collaboration.