Archive · 4 Aug 2025
India Plans Test Code for Solar Dryers to Curb Food Waste
Imagine a special oven powered by the sun, called a solar tunnel dryer, to dry fruits and vegetables.
India is making rules to make sure these ovens work well.
Right now, there aren't any rules, which means some food gets wasted.
The new rules will help farmers keep their food longer without spoiling.
These dryers are like greenhouses that trap sunlight, and they help farmers save money and reduce waste.
It's like giving farmers a better way to store their food so everyone can have more to eat, especially in places without much electricity.
India's Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is developing first-ever guidelines for solar tunnel dryers.
The guidelines will cover construction, material quality, efficiency, and performance of the dryers.
These dryers are designed to reduce post-harvest losses of agricultural produce.
India faces significant annual post-harvest losses, estimated at ₹1.53 trillion between 2020 and 2022.
Standardization aims to improve drying efficiency, product quality, and adoption of sustainable technologies.
- Who
- The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS)
- What
- BIS is creating guidelines for solar tunnel dryers.
- When
- The guidelines are expected to be finalized by the end of the year.
- Where
- India
- Why
- To reduce post-harvest losses and support micro-food enterprises.
Farmers with Existing Drying Methods
Farmers with Solar Dryers
Method vs Control over harvest
Farmers with Existing Drying Methods
Farmers using traditional open sun drying often face issues like dust, insects, and uneven drying which leads to losses.
Farmers with Solar Dryers
Farmers using certified tunnel-type solar dryers can hold on to their stock when prices are low. It gives farmers more control and better returns.
- Organization
- Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS)
- Focus
- Solar tunnel dryers
- Goal
- Reduce post-harvest losses
- Estimated Post-Harvest Losses (2020-2022)
- ₹1.53 trillion
- Losses (Soybean)
- 15.34%
- Losses (Wheat)
- 7.87%