Development and testing of low-cost indirect solar dryer for locally available curry leaves: A case study on dissemination and commercialization of technology

This project mainly aimed at disseminating and commercialization of a low-cost green-energy indirect solar dryer design developed for drying agricultural leaf materials (Coriander, Parsley, Mint, Bay, Murraya leaves etc.) to potential farmers and small entrepreneurs to run as a home business model. A black-body, low-cost indirect solar dryer will be developed for home use and mathematical modeling will be conducted for creating drying kinetic models for locally available curry leaves which can be used as improving food taste, as herbal medicinal and cosmetic applications. In addition laboratory analyses will be conducted for evaluating physio-chemical and sensory properties. Furthermore, the three duplicates of dryer model along with other necessary components will be provided to selected small entrepreneurs (priority will be for educated unemployed youth, particular women) to run as a small enterprise (home business model). Market accessibility support will be supported and the success of the business models will be evaluated. As benefits and beneficiaries, two MSc and one ongoing PhD students will involve in the three major components of the research. In addition, this project will promote some features currently in demand by the Omani economy and society; such as development of local machinery with green-energy concept using abandoned solar energy, dissemination or technology transfer and capacity building, promotion of SME?s, here Small Enterprises or Home-Business Models, promote value addition to locally-grown perishable agricultural produce and hence improving shelf-life and reducing postharvest losses for them. This kind of initiatives may have perpetual effect as some currently unemployed educated youth may become excited and initiate such projects.