Solar Dehydration Technology | 25 Feb 2025

Why in News?

Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur has developed a new Solar Dehydration Technology, with the aim of increasing the income of farmers and reducing crop wastage.

Objective :
- This technology facilitates drying of fruits and vegetables through solar energy . It is an efficient and sustainable method.
- Its objective is to increase the income of farmers and reduce crop wastage .
- Farmers can preserve their crops for a long time using this technology and sell them when they get a fair price.
Benefits :
- Solar dehydration is an eco-friendly method that saves energy and has a positive impact on the environment.
- Using solar energy reduces the need for conventional energy sources, thereby conserving natural resources.
TRAINING PROGRAMS :
- Under this initiative, 30 farmers have recently been trained in solar dehydration technology.
- They were given a live demonstration of pre-treatment and solar drying of tomatoes, so that they can apply this technology in their farming.
Collaboration:
- National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) has played a crucial role in this project.
- Additionally, in partnership with the Food Processing Department of CSJM University, it has developed Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and quality protocols for this technology.

NABARD is an apex bank for agriculture and rural development.
It was established on July 12, 1982 by an Act of Parliament based on the recommendations of the Sivaraman Committee.
Its function is to provide credit flow for the promotion and development of agriculture, small industries, cottage and rural industries, handicrafts and other rural crafts.
Along with this, the sustainable development of villages is to be done by providing support to other related economic activities in rural areas.