Where is the market? Assessing the role of dryer performance and marketability of solar-dried products in acceptance of solar dryers amongst smallholder farmers

Peter G Korsuk Kumi; Samuel Elolu; Walter Odongo; Collins Okello; Stephen W Kalule

doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e18668

Where is the market? Assessing the role of dryer performance and marketability of solar-dried products in acceptance of solar dryers amongst smallholder farmers

Heliyon. 2023 Jul 27;9(8):e18668. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e18668. eCollection 2023 Aug.

Authors

Peter G Korsuk Kumi^{1

2}, Samuel Elolu³, Walter Odongo¹, Collins Okello⁴, Stephen W Kalule¹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Rural Development and Agribusiness, Faculty of Agriculture and Environment, Gulu University, P.O. Box 166, Gulu, Uganda.
² Department of Agricultural Sciences, School of Natural Resources and Environmental Studies, University of Juba, P.O. Box 82, Juba, Sudan.
³ Department of Food Science and Postharvest Technology, Faculty of Agriculture and Environment, Gulu University, P.O. Box 166, Gulu, Uganda.
⁴ Department of Biosystems Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture and Environment, Gulu University, P.O. Box 166, Gulu, Uganda.

Abstract

Agricultural technological development is a crucial strategy for agricultural commercialization and socio-economic transformation in Africa. However, a key challenge to technology use in agriculture remains the limited farmer acceptance of unfamiliar technologies. This paper uses a sample of 245 okra farmers drawn from northern Uganda to assess the drivers of the farmer acceptance of solar drying technology. On the basis of drying performance, farmers perceive the solar dryer to perform better than the open sun-drying method. Structural equation modelling results show that the drying rate and perceived product quality are the main determinants of farmer perceptions on product marketability. Further, product marketability drives acceptance of solar dryers among farmers. We conclude that acceptance of solar dryers is dependent on: i) the drying rate, ii) favorable perceptions towards product quality, and iii) perceived marketability of the solar-dried product. We call for policy action on intensification of efforts that promote solar drying technology, including supporting local artisans to fabricate dryers, to enable increased value addition and consumption of nutritious foods.

Keywords: Performance; Renewable energy; Solar dryer; Technology acceptance; Technology development; Value addition.