AfricaRice Boosts Local Actors Post-Harvest Capacity with Hands-On Solar–Gas Hybrid Dryer Fabrication

Participants during dryers’ fabrication and testing. (Credit: AfricaRice)

Africa Rice Center (AfricaRice), through the European Union funded HealthyDiets4Africa project, has successfully concluded a 12-day practical workshop on the fabrication and deployment of solar–gas hybrid dryers—an innovative clean-energy solution designed to reduce post-harvest losses and enhance food quality across Africa.

Held from 10–21 November 2025 at AfricaRice M’bé Research Station, the hands-on workshop brought together 10 technicians (9 men and 1 woman) from Benin, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Nigeria, and Uganda, marking a major milestone in strengthening regional capacity for climate-smart food processing technologies.

A Strategic Step in Addressing Post-Harvest Losses

“This workshop is a significant step toward empowering African countries with the capacity to build and sustain their own clean-energy post-harvest systems. By equipping technicians with practical skills to fabricate and operate solar–gas hybrid dryers, we are not only reducing post-harvest losses but also strengthening food and nutrition security across the continent. What we are building here is more than equipment—we are building regional expertise and resilience.” stated Dr. Sali Ndindeng, Program Leader of the Rice Sector Development Program and Scaling Lead for HealthyDiets4Africa, about the strategic importance of the initiative.

The HealthyDiets4Africa project aims to diversify food systems and promote nutritious, shelf-stable foods by strengthening post-harvest processing and scaling innovations that combat malnutrition.

From Principles to Practice: Building Two Fully Functional Dryers

Participants underwent a rigorous hands-on program covering:

• Drying principles and hybrid dryer design

• Metal fabrication and frame construction

• Insulation installation and airflow management

• Heating system assembly and integration

• Electrical wiring, controllers, and humidity/temperature regulation

• Solar panel installation and full system calibration

• Test drying fruits, vegetables, and fish

By the end of the workshop, participants had fabricated two fully operational solar–gas hybrid dryers using regionally available materials—demonstrating the feasibility of local production across African countries.

Strengthening South–South Collaboration

The initiative also fostered strong collaboration and peer learning among national research institutes and technical teams, establishing a vibrant network of post-harvest technicians prepared to champion the technology in their home countries.

“The successful completion of this training demonstrates AfricaRice’s commitment to delivering research-based innovations that create real, scalable impact. The hybrid dryers fabricated here are proof that locally made, climate-smart technologies can transform value chains when national experts are empowered to lead the process. I encourage all participants to take this knowledge forward, adapt it to their national contexts, and continue strengthening Africa’s capacity for innovation.” explained Dr. Koichi Futakuchi, Advisor to the Deputy Director General and Director of Research and Innovation at AfricaRice, emphasizing AfricaRice’s commitment to practical, scalable innovations.

A Catalyst for Scaling Clean-Energy Technologies

With a newly strengthened cadre of technicians, AfricaRice is paving the way for widespread adoption of solar–gas hybrid dryers—critical for processing cereals, fruits, vegetables, and fish while reducing waste and improving nutritional quality.

Participants expressed enthusiasm to replicate the technology for youth enterprises, farmer associations, women-led processors, and rural SMEs, supporting broader food system transformation.

Driving Sustainable Impact Across Africa

The workshop contributes directly to the HealthyDiets4Africa vision of reducing malnutrition by enhancing access to safe, nutritious, and shelf-stable foods. By building local fabrication capacity, AfricaRice is enabling countries to scale climate-smart post-harvest technologies and strengthen food and nutrition security.

Group picture with participants and trainers. (Credit: AfricaRice)