The Hindu Business Line : Solar-dried fruit bars to hit the market

Solar-dried variety fruit bars are all set to hit the market. The scientifically-processed, attractively packaged bars will come in varied shapes such as slabs, rolls, toffees and packaged attractively.

Hyderabad-based renewable energy organisation Society for Energy, Environment & Development (SEED) has used its patented technology to manufacture these bars, which have their nutrient facts displayed on the labels. Traditionally, mango fruit bars are made at homes and at the cottage industry level with the processing and drying done in open-air. As this method could attract dust and insects, a group of scientists at SEED thought solar drying could be an option. They developed an efficient solar-powered dryer in 1999 and patented it, said Prof. M. Ramakrishna Rao, who heads the research and development team. With the taste, colour, texture and flavour of bars preserved intact, SEED has successfully demonstrated the commercial application of the solar dryers.

Now, SEED, in line with its innovation intent, has prepared special blended formulations. The five new flavours include combinations such as Mango and Guava; Mango and chikoo; khatta-meetha Mango; mixed-fruit bar; and amla supari .

The shelf-life of these bars is nearly 10-12 months. SEED deploys the dehydration process in solar dryers to make these fruit bars. The products are available in Andhra Pradesh and the company has received enquiries from the US, West Asia and African markets, said Mr S. L. Kumar.

“We are trying to promote the solar dryer in rural areas through the micro enterprise route and microfinance,” he said. The Department of Science and Technology (DST), which has been supporting SEED in its development efforts, is looking for network partners and marketing support to popularise it in rural areas, Dr Goyal from DST said. SEED organises workshops and training programmes for youth and women in rural areas to familiarise them about solar drying.

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