Solar Fruit Dehydrators for MicroEntrepreneurs

This fall we continue moving forward on the next iteration of our solar food dehydrator.  Noe, our engineering student partner at the Universidad de San Carlos, Guatemala, has completed his detailed project proposal to the university. 

This proposal outlines his plans to research and interview the members of the Cooperativa Kuxya, gathering up-to-date knowledge from the field.  Our solar dehydrator has been in operation in Cooperativa Kuxya for 3 years now, supporting these farmers to preserve their harvests and create nutritious, shelf-stable local agricultural products.

With their feedback, Noe will improve our current design to develop a larger and more efficient model allowing farmers in Kuxya and other regions to scale their operation.  Standardized natural food products like spices, teas, and dried fruit are a valuable local commodity.

Onsite food dehydration locks in key nutrients at the peak of freshness, ensuring maximum vitamin retention and allows healthy food products to be sold in local tiendas that may not have reliable refrigeration.  These local avenues for farmers to sell their products reduces emissions from trucking produce to city wholesalers and creates higher income sources for these rural entrepreneurs.

ATC has a decade of experience supporting rural farmers with appropriate technologies.  ATC has partnered with universities to develop multiple innovative solutions just like this solar dehydrator. Noe will be mentored by an ATC engineer and ATC’s local Guatemalan staff who together will guide him through the design process and ensure the voices of the farming cooperatives inform every step of the way.

Links:

• Check out the dehydrator and more at our Design Library