WISIONS of Sustainability, Humana Fundación Pueblo para Pueblo, ADPP Mozambique - innovative solar tunnels for food processing for 300 farmers (Mozambique)

Who, What & Where

• WISIONS of Sustainability, Humana Fundación Pueblo para Pueblo, ADPP Mozambique

• Introduction of innovative solar tunnels for food processing for 300 farmers in Mozambique

• Cabo Delgado Province, Mozambique

• Completed: 2013

The Organisations

The project was funded by WISIONS of Sustainability, an initiative by the Wuppertal Institute, and was implemented by Humana Fundación Pueblo para Pueblo in cooperation with the local NGO ADPP Mozambique. Humana is an NGO that has carried out cooperative projects in various countries in sub-Saharan Africa since 1987, while ADPP is a local NGO that currently implements over 60 projects across all provinces of Mozambique aiming for the holistic development of local communities.

The Challenge

In northern Mozambique many farmers face challenging living conditions. Given the seasonality of the vegetable and fruit harvests and the difficulty of adequately preserving and storing their products, many farmers suffer from food shortages and malnutrition.

Opportunities for Renewables

Renewable energy technologies can provide an alternative solution for farmers to preserve their harvest and reduce post-harvest losses, as well as offering the opportunity to generate additional income by selling the surplus production. Compared to traditional drying methods, the application of solar power results in a better quality and more hygienic product.

Renewable Solution

The project built six innovative solar tunnel dryers for food processing and preservation in cooperation with existing local farmers’ associations. The tunnels are 3.5 metres wide,5 metres long and 2 metres high. They were constructed of bamboo and plastic and the ground was lined with stones, sand, bricks and cement. Bamboo is locally available, while the UV plastic had to be imported from Tanzania.

The solar dryers are owned by the associations, who are also responsible for their maintenance and servicing. The cost of smaller repairs has to be borne by the association, which collects fees from the tunnel users. In addition to technical capacity-building, 18 female entrepreneurs received training in nutrition, food processing, drying, storage and micro/small business development. These women are now responsible for managing the solar tunnels and have established schedules enabling 50 families to dry their products. Furthermore, 300 members of farmers’ associations were trained in small business management during their weekly meetings.

Project Financing and Costs

The total project budget amounted to 32,654 EUR, of which 22,000 EUR was financed under the Sustainable Energy Project Support (SEPS) scheme of the WISONS initiative. The remaining amount was financed by funds from Humana and Ajuda de Pesenvolvimeno de Povo para Povo (ADPP) Mozambique.

Project Outcome

300 farmers have benefited from the introduction of the six solar dryers. Harvest losses have been significantly reduced and local food security has been increased. Furthermore, the farmers no longer need to sell their vegetables and fruits at low prices immediately after harvesting, but can achieve better prices for their dried products. The innovative and simple technology of the solar tunnel dryers, together with the local availability of materials and sufficient sunshine, makes this project easily replicable elsewhere in Mozambique.