The Horticulture Department is offering 50% subsidy for solar-powered poly-tunnel dryers to farmers from all categories under the National Horticulture Mission.
Such dryers are available in 100 kg and 1,000 kg capacity, priced at ₹55,000 plus tax (subsidy ₹27,500) and ₹5.7 lakh plus tax (subsidy ₹2.85 lakh), respectively. Farmers may get the unit erected and claim the subsidy from the department, said an official release here.
While areca has been the predominant commercial crop in Dakshina Kannada, farmers have also been growing pepper, coco, and vanilla as additional crops. Proper drying and treatment post-harvest of the produces of these crops would fetch good prices even as farmers normally do this treatment conventionally — drying under sunlight. Vagaries of nature, however, have been affecting the post-harvest treatment, thereby affecting the quality of the produce and the prices. Things being so, the department as well as research institutions were attempting to address the issue by providing a mechanism at a reasonable cost. The dryer, developed by Raichur Agricultural University, was found to address this problem.
The tubular shaped dryer can accommodate racks in two lines to hold GI trays to keep the produce for drying. The dryer has adequate and controlled exhaust and fresh air replacement facility through fans, which work with solar power. The department has identified eight agencies which have the technology to provide these dryers and has issued orders to procure dryers from them.
The department said the quality and texture of processed produces through these dryers would in no way get affected but remain natural. Besides saving processing time by over 60%, the driers would also help protect the produce from insects, birds and animals. The dryer can be put to use irrespective of the season to get quality output, the department said. Farmers may approach the nearest department office for details.