Abstract:
Alternative sustainable technologies can help farmers to improve their well-being
through higher agricultural productivity. Among different operations in the agro
industry, post harvest operations play a major role in every produce. One of the major
concerns in post harvest processes is losses due to various practices especially in the
perishable food sector which is around 40% in Sri Lanka. One of major operation is
drying of agro/food materials before consumption. Presently open sun drying or dryers
fired with imported oil are in use. There are several concerns about these methods due
to accumulation of impurities and contribution to global warming as well. One of the
alternative methods is to use solar energy for this operation. It can be utilized efficiently
and effectively as a renewable energy source to preserve the food products during
drying process.
Different products can be dried using a solar drier with appropriate design parameters.
Solar driers eliminates the dust and dirt, prevent destroying of the heat-sensitive
vitamins by UV rays, can achieve uniform drying conditions with design modifications,
vaporizing the volatile compounds of the products and does not contribute to the green
house gas emission.
National and international market demand for the solar dried food products can be
generated and farmers have opportunity to get more attractive income from their
products. It makes a significant contribution to reducing poverty and improving rural
livelihood will achieve sustainability, by building the capacity of the farmers and their
communities.