Research Article
Development of a Dryer Coupled to a Solar Concentrator for Drying Food (Vegetables and Fruits) as a Sustainable Alternative to Reduce Post-Harvest Losses in Manica Province
Issue:
Volume 11, Issue 5, October 2025
Pages:
157-171
Received:
5 August 2025
Accepted:
25 August 2025
Published:
19 September 2025
DOI:
10.11648/j.ijaas.20251105.11
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Abstract: The prevalence of problems related to food waste has gained significant global visibility today, with around 30% of food produced being wasted annually, compromising the sustainability of our planet in some way. In Mozambique, it is estimated that between 30% and 50% of food produced, mainly vegetables and fruits, decomposes in warehouses, with the aim of minimizing food waste, this article was developed, whose main objective is to develop a dryer coupled with a solar concentrator for drying food as a sustainable alternative for reducing post-harvest losses. This is an experimental study; however, thermometers and scales, both calibrated to monitor temperature variation and food mass during the drying process, were used to collect data, ensuring compliance with food safety standards. In addition, with the help of NASA data, values for weather conditions such as solar radiation, relative humidity, and wind speed were obtained from the point where the device was tested. Microsoft Excel was used for statistical data processing with the help of SigmaPlot software version 15.0. The results obtained reveal that the dryer coupled to the solar concentrator for drying foods such as okra, kale, tomatoes, bananas, and mangoes demonstrated compliance with expected standards, presenting good visual quality and moisture content in accordance with established recommendations, below 25% for dried fruits and 12% for dried vegetables. In terms of mass efficiency, the solar dryer ranged from 86.2% to 99.7% for different foods, demonstrating its viability in both rural and urban areas. This makes it an effective solution to combat food waste without relying on electricity, thus contributing to food security and reducing environmental impacts. The efficiency of the dryer, together with the solar concentrator, reached 61.0%, highlighting solar concentrators as a promising option for improving the efficiency of food drying using solar energy.
Abstract: The prevalence of problems related to food waste has gained significant global visibility today, with around 30% of food produced being wasted annually, compromising the sustainability of our planet in some way. In Mozambique, it is estimated that between 30% and 50% of food produced, mainly vegetables and fruits, decomposes in warehouses, with the...
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Research Article
Enhancing Rural Livelihoods and Empowering Mid-Hill Women Through Gender-Sensitive Targeted Interventions: A Study Under Farmer FIRST Project in Uttarakhand
Issue:
Volume 11, Issue 5, October 2025
Pages:
172-184
Received:
14 August 2025
Accepted:
30 August 2025
Published:
19 September 2025
DOI:
10.11648/j.ijaas.20251105.12
Downloads:
Views:
Abstract: In the challenging agro-ecological landscape of Uttarakhand’s mid-hills, empowering rural women is essential for inclusive agricultural development and livelihood security. Despite their critical role in agriculture and household management, women face persistent challenges in these regions such as difficult terrain, fragmented landholdings, and limited access to infrastructure. This study, conducted under ICAR’s Farmer FIRST Programme, evaluated the effects of gender-sensitive, context-specific interventions on 150 randomly selected women farmers across four project villages in the Bhimtal block of Nainital district under mid-hills region. The interventions included exposure visits and training in improved crop production, livestock and poultry management, fodder cultivation, and post-harvest technologies. The study investigated the impact of targeted interventions aimed at enhancing the socio-economic status and decision-making capabilities of farm women in the villages adopted under the project. Empowerment was operationalized and quantitatively assessed across three dimensions – i.e., economic, social, and political; and the study assessed the changes in women’s empowerment across three dimensions. The results demonstrated a significant improvement, with more than 70% of women showing increased levels of empowerment after the targeted interventions. These outcomes highlight the transformative potential of participatory and gender-responsive models in addressing structural barriers. The study recommends wider replication and scaling up of such initiatives to ensure sustainable agricultural development and equitable growth, particularly in vulnerable and resource-constrained hill regions like Uttarakhand.
Abstract: In the challenging agro-ecological landscape of Uttarakhand’s mid-hills, empowering rural women is essential for inclusive agricultural development and livelihood security. Despite their critical role in agriculture and household management, women face persistent challenges in these regions such as difficult terrain, fragmented landholdings, and li...
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,
Sérgio Leonardo Nhapulo
