The Institute for Agricultural Research, Samaru, Zaria, Kaduna State, has invented an agriculture solar drying machine to assist farmers in preserving their produce.

Dr Paul Ndahi, an Industrial Designer in the institute, made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Monday.

Ndahi said that the machine had the capacity to dry tomatoes, onions, vegetables, fish and other perishable goods for preservation.

He explained that the essence of developing the device was to reduce post-harvest losses and ensure hygienic preservation of perishable produce.

“This device is a solar dryer and it can dry tomatoes, onions, vegetables, fish, meat, among other goods.

“For instance, to dry tomatoes and onions it depends on the moisture content, but it takes a day to dry‎.

“The essence of this is to make sure that the drying quality is pure and not be adulterated with either dust or flies or other forms of impurity.

“It is clean and hygienic and also the drying time is faster.”

According to Ndahi, the machine is cheap and affordable.

“We designed it for farmers, so it is very affordable, depending on the size and capacities, the price starts from N 15,000 and above.”

Ndahi said that the technology was indigenous and could be expanded to meet the demands of interested farmers.

He said that farmers and other interested individuals were already approaching the institute to buy the device for commercial and household use.

The designer told NAN that other indigenous machines designed by the institute included maize, groundnut and cowpea shellers with less than five per cent grain damage‎.

He said the shellers could shell 100 bags of maize, groundnut or cowpea a day depending on the size.

Ndahi said the machines were made in various sizes to meet the needs of users. (NAN)

•Photo shows Agric Minister Audu Ogbeh.

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