Solar Dryers
Irrihub Ke offers solar dryers, a pivotal technology in harnessing solar energy, for perishable farm produce post-harvest processing. The dryers are popularly used for reducing the water content of vegetables, fruits and some cereals to percentages that elongate their shelf-life. Typical solar-dried produce in Kenya includes coffee, cassava, tomatoes, mangoes, pepper, millet, herbs such as thyme and mint, mushroom and groundnuts. The produce is procedurally cut or ground into small pieces before being laid on the drying shelves.
While open-air drying has been culturally practiced among some communities in Kenya, the use of solar dryers has the edge over it. Solar dryers dry the product within a shorter period and retain the higher nutritional value of the produce. The controlled environment minimizes contamination and the risk of spoilage. The dryer cover has anti-drip properties that prevent moisture condensation on the surface. This is critical in preventing fungal development.