The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur’s Ranjit Singh Rozi Shiksha Kendra has introduced an innovative solar dehydration technique aimed at preserving agricultural produce using sustainable energy.

This pioneering method allows farmers to dry fruits and vegetables through solar energy, offering a cost-effective solution to fluctuating market prices. By enabling the storage of produce for longer periods, farmers can sell their goods at more favorable prices during peak demand, thereby increasing profitability.

The initiative, led by Prof. Sandeep Sangal and Prof. Kallol Mondal from IIT Kanpur, was recently demonstrated to around 30 farmers from the Hariya Nature Farming Producer Company in Shivrajpur, supported by Shramik Bharti, and the Lavkush Farmer Producer Organization (FPO) under the Namami Gange project in Kalyanpur block. The farmers received hands-on training in the solar dehydration process, empowering them with practical knowledge to implement this eco-friendly preservation method on their farms.

A live demonstration highlighted the solar drying of tomatoes, showcasing its potential to extend shelf life and enhance marketability. Rita Singh, Project Executive Officer at IIT Kanpur, emphasized the significance of this technology, saying, “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.”

Further strengthening this initiative, IIT Kanpur has collaborated with the Department of Food Processing at CSJMU University to establish standard operating procedures and quality protocols for solar dehydration. Prominent agriculturist Satish Subhedar and Shivraj Nishad, Founder of Iswar Flowers & Herbs, provided valuable insights into organic farming and market opportunities for dried produce.

(Inputs from ANI)