According to the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), about one-third of all food produced globally, about 1.3 billion tonnes, is lost or wasted, costing the global economy nearly $940 billion annually. The Department of Agricultural Engineering at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, is developing #solutions to reduce food waste in #Ghana and the sub-region. In African agri-food systems, post-harvest losses are exacerbated by inefficient #drying methods, impacting #crop quality, contamination, and food security due to unpredictable weather conditions of primarily solar-dependent drying methods.
Paul Mensah, Emmanuella Odoom and Paa Kwasi Saka Dankyi, final-year students of the Agricultural Engineering Department, have developed the #GreenDryer, which harnesses biomass and solar energy to provide a sustainable and efficient drying alternative. Powered by biomass and solar energy, the Green Dryer provides an eco-friendly drying service that positively impacts the environment using agro-waste. The impact of the Green Dryer is transformative, minimises losses, improves food security, increases small-scale farmers' income, and drives rural economic development. Adoption aligns with sustainability goals, reducing fossil fuel dependence and contamination risks. Beyond this, the Green Dryer advances agricultural modernisation, empowering farmers, enhancing climate resilience, and ensuring a prosperous future for African agri-food systems. Watch the video here 👉 : Click Here
