Dry agricultural commodities such as grains, coffee, and cocoa are an essential part of our daily lives, traditions, lifestyles, cuisines, and, most importantly, the livelihoods of smallholder farmers. However, to maintain their peak quality and be truly enjoyed by consumers, they must first be properly processed, which begins with proper and even drying after harvest.
Drying is a crucial stage in the long-term quality preservation of agricultural commodities. When commodities are dried properly at their right moisture content, it eliminates the risk of damage and the onset of molds and aflatoxins.
To prolong the shelf life of these commodities and maintain their essential qualities, taste, and nutritional value, it has been part of our practice to dry them under the open sun. This is done to ensure that the commodities are at their right or safe moisture content level for storage or further processing. Drying also removes the extra moisture in the commodities that lets bacteria, yeast, and molds develop, leading to loss, spoilage, and deterioration.
Sun or field drying is free or low-cost and is still used by many traditional smallholder farmers. However, it does not guarantee clean and even drying and does not protect commodities from contamination and exposure to outside weather conditions. This can result in significant losses if the commodities are overdried or damaged if they are dried on the road.
And, with the continuous development of the world, we have been dealing with climate change and its harmful effects and impact — unpredictable weather and changing rainfall patterns, e.g. sudden rains during hot summer seasons. As a result, farmers cannot always rely solely on traditional sun drying. Drying commodities now has become more challenging, especially for smallholder farmers who lack proper equipment and financial accessibility.
Climate-smart drying solutions
To assist farmers in drying their commodities and relieving them of the worry of incurring losses due to improper and inadequate drying, GrainPro has developed energy-efficient and easy-to-use drying solutions:
Collapsible Dryer Case (CDC)
Similar to traditional drying methods, this portable drying solution directly uses the sun’s power. It also acts as a protective mat that safeguards commodities from re-wetting and moisture reabsorption as it can be folded and sealed at night when temperatures begin to drop or in the event of unexpected rains.
To maximize its features, the Collapsible Dryer Case must be placed in a smooth or open area to allow the maximum absorption of solar energy while being protected from running water and objects that could damage the dryer case. It also has inflatable side walls, which help to keep commodities from spilling out and prevents rocks and other debris from mixing with the commodity. As a result, contamination, damage, and post-harvest losses are prevented.
Bubble Dryer
This tunnel-type dryer uses hot air generated from the sun to safely and evenly dry commodities for faster drying time. How does it work? The commodities’ moisture content is vaporized and pushed out by ventilators through an exhaust port using heated air.
Its drying tunnel acts as a temperature buffer. This protects the commodities from overheating and sudden rain, completely eliminating the risk of re-wetting, losses due to animals, spillage, and damage if they are dried without protection.
Why choose these drying solutions?
Both sustainable and climate-resilient, these drying solutions greatly help farmers maintain the quality and quantity of their harvested commodities. Compared to traditional and mechanical drying methods, these solutions also have proven their efficiency and ease of use without compromising the overall quality of the commodities. These also reduce the risk of contamination from dirt, animals, and vehicle damage if spread or dried on the road, resulting in better-quality commodities that are clean and safe for human consumption.
GrainPro’s drying solutions also improve the resilience of farmers in dealing with the effects of climate change, thus increasing their productivity and income.
Through these climate-smart solutions, farmers can now safely dry their commodities to make them fit for storage and provide only the best quality to consumers.
Visit www.grainpro.com to learn more about sustainable climate-smart solutions.
