Solar drying for vitamin A

It has been designed as a program guide for use by field and community-level development workers and trainers working with community groups to promote increased production and consumption of vitamin A-rich foods. The solar box dryer introduced in this manual is one of the simplest dryers to build and use. For individuals or groups interested in more advanced and efficient solar dryer models, additional references are listed at the end of the manual. This manual can be used as a reference guide or as a training tool in any educational setting, such as a classroom, extension meeting, or workshop. Each chapter concludes with a summary that can be copied and distributed to those participating in training sessions. We have found solar drying to be most useful in places where there is an abundance of vitamin A-rich foods available to the local community during certain seasons, which can be preserved for the off-season, when vitamin A-rich foods are scarce. The technology is proven and can be adapted and modified to fit local conditions and community needs. A variety of materials can be tested for building the dryers, and the acceptability and preferred use of the dried foods may vary from place to place. We encourage programs to experiment with the technology and adapt it to their own needs and environment. (Author abstract)