Description of Challenge
Whereas in the European Community approximately five percent of agricultural goods become spoiled, the amount in the tropics and subtropics rises up to 70 percent. The lack of storage facilities and little developed infrastructure hamper small producers from market entry. Seasonal surplus due harvest can not be traded and on the regional markets the prices persist at low level.Solution
Solar drying has been practised for conservation of foods for centuries and is particularly apt for production of high-quality products in agricultural enterprises. The appropriate construction guarantees easy installation as well as transportation. Without any reconstruction the dryer is suitabe for fruits, vegetables, spices and medical plants. Even under adverse weather conditions the operation of the dryer is reliable. Seasonal overproduction as well as over- and undersizes are processed to valuable goods. The applicants of solar tunnel dryers are agricultural enterprises, familiy run farms and developing organisations which demonstrate improved technology. With good results the dryer was also operated by women groups in developing countries to contribute to familiar income. Also an increasing number of organic farmers use the ecological advantages of the solar tunnel dryer for the production of their high-value crops
