The Hindu Business Line : Solar tunnel drier to process Ramanathapuram chillies

Coimbatore April 4 As part of technology intervention to enhance value-addition to agri-products at post-harvest stage, a solar tunnel drier has been commissioned at Singarayapuram village in Ramanathapuram district that ensures speedy drying of chillies at hygienic conditions.

The optimum drying condition created by the drier also drastically brings down the high post-harvest wastage percentage of chillies normally associated with the traditional ground-spread drying of chillies. The model post-harvest agro processing facility for the Singarayapuram chilli growers has been promoted under the Canada International Development Agency (CIDA) assisted programme by the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) in association with the Madurai-based non-governmental organisation DHAN Foundation.

The pilot solar tunnel drier designed by the TNAU's post harvest technology centre ensures quality drying, thanks to the usage of stainless steel trays with 40 per cent perforations which helps uniform stacking of chillies to achieve the dry processing with final moisture content at four per cent within two to three days as compared to 7 to 10 days the traditional sun-drying would take.

The location of the solar drier in the sunny tract of Singarayapuram, an area known for the popular local "mundu" variety chillies reputed for the high capsaicine content, according to Dr Thangavelu, head of the Post Harvest Technology Centre of TNAU, has allowed the device to attract optimum solar radiation at 60 degrees and thus enjoy quality drying.

In the tradition ground drying of chillies, where the drying would vary vastly, the dried chillies also suffer high rate of seed loss due to breakage and fading of colour of the chillies during storage, thus losing value in the market place.

The post harvest loss of chillies by traditional method of drying is estimated at around 35 per cent.

Based on the success of the pilot solar drier with half tonne capacity, which was installed during last year, a one-tonne capacity solar drier has been commissioned at Singarayapuram early this month.

Besides the CIDA, the all-India coordinated research project on renewal energy source, department of bio-energy, TNAU, DHAN Foundation have provided the financial assistance for the new drier for which the local farming group too have provided its share of funds.

TNAU has also decided to assist the Singarayapuram chilli farmers to move to next value chain in chilli processing, namely converting into quality chilli powder by developing a model agro processing unit there, Dr Thanvagelu said.

More Stories on : Commodities | Science & Technology

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication :: Printer Friendly Page