A non-governmental organisation (NGO), Developmental Association for Renewable Energies (DARE), has introduced the first Solar-Bubble-Dryer (SBD) for Nigerian farmers, to enable them reduce post-harvest losses, the organisation has announced.
Yahaya Ahmed, the director, told journalists on Thursday, January 14, 2021 in Kaduna that the machine was specifically developed, to help the farmers curb the huge post-harvest losses they usually encountered.
He said that the machine could be used for drying tomatoes, mangoes, apples, grains and others crops without losing their taste, adding that the SBD was mobile and not dependent on either fuel or electricity and, therefore, has low operating cost.
Ahmed also explained that the machine had a life span of over 20 years when safely used and maintained, while it comes in varying sizes with the current model having a 0.5 to one ton batch capacity.
“It is the cheapest and the best way to preserve all farm produce in Nigeria,” he said, while appealing to farmers to embrace the technology to curb their post-harvest losses.
Similarly, a climatologist, Dr Piman Hoffman of African Climate Reporters, applauded the effort of the NGO for dedicating her time toward making life easier for Nigerian farmers by developing the technology that had the potential of enhancing agricultural activities in the country.
He called on the federal and state governments to support the initiative, and encouraged local farmers to acquire skills on maintenance of the machine.
By Hassana Yakubu
