Introduction to Solar Dehydration Technology
IIT Kanpur’s Ranjit Singh Rozi Shiksha Kendra has unveiled a groundbreaking Solar Dehydration technology that promises to revolutionize the way agricultural produce is preserved. This eco-friendly innovation harnesses solar energy to dry fruits and vegetables, offering a sustainable solution that not only reduces post-harvest losses but also boosts farmers’ incomes. By providing an efficient way to preserve crops, this technology allows farmers to store produce for longer periods, enabling them to sell at higher prices during times of peak demand, which can significantly enhance profitability.
Hands-On Demonstration and Farmer Training
The project, led by Prof. Sandeep Sangal and Prof. Kallol Mondal from IIT Kanpur, was recently demonstrated to a group of 30 farmers from the Hariya Nature Farming Producer Company in Shivrajpur. The demonstration was organized with support from Shramik Bharti and the Lavkush Farmer Producer Organization (FPO) as part of the Namami Gange project in Kalyanpur block. During the event, farmers received practical training on the solar dehydration process, equipping them with the skills needed to adopt this technology on their own farms. The demonstration focused on the drying of tomatoes, highlighting how solar dehydration can increase the shelf life of produce while improving its marketability.
Collaborations and Future Expansion
The Solar Dehydration technology initiative has gained significant attention for its potential to address two key challenges faced by farmers: fluctuating market prices and post-harvest waste. Rita Singh, Project Executive Officer at IIT Kanpur, underscored the importance of this technology in reducing agricultural waste and enhancing farm incomes. She mentioned, “Solar dehydration is an efficient and sustainable method to reduce agricultural waste and boost farm incomes.
With the support of NABARD, we aim to expand this technology to more villages for widespread adoption.” In addition to this, IIT Kanpur has partnered with the Department of Food Processing at CSJMU University to develop standard operating procedures and quality protocols for the solar dehydration technology method. Furthermore, renowned agriculturists such as Satish Subhedar and Shivraj Nishad have contributed insights into organic farming and market opportunities for dried produce, further strengthening the project’s potential for long-term success.
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