SOLAR DRYER - AN EFFECTIVE TOOL FOR AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS PRESERVATION

The unpredictable rise and frequent scarcity of fossil fuel accelerated the continuous search for an alternative power source. Solar is one of the renewable and sustainable sources of power that attracted a large community of researchers from all over the world. This is largely due to its abundant in both direct and indirect form. As such the development of efficient and inexpensive equipment for the drying of agricultural and marine products using solar power evolved thereby improving the quality of the products as well as improving the quality of life. Solar dryers are available in a range of size and design and are used for drying various agricultural products. It is found that various types of dryers are available to suit the needs of farmers. Therefore, selection of dryers for a particular application is largely a decision based on what is available and the types of dryers currently used widely. The objective of this paper is to present a wide spectrum of solar dryers and their effectiveness in drying of agricultural products. It also highlighted some of the environmental and economic benefits derived from their application. The use of solar dryers in the drying of agricultural products can significantly reduce or eliminate product wastage, food poisoning and at the sometime enhance productivity of the farmers towards better revenue derived.