Technological advancements have revolutionised the Indian food processing segment. With small and mid-sized companies realising the benefits of implementing innovative technologies in their manufacturing units, various new solutions are being designed to increase productivity. Solar food processing technology which is yet to be adopted on a large scale is among the newer technologies that are gaining momentum in India.
Revolution in rural India
In the past few years, solar food processing technology has gained precedence in the rural parts of the country. A growing number of farmers have adopted this technology for dehydration of vegetables, fruits and herbal products. With this, useful appliances with multiple functions have also been introduced in the past few years.
Cabinet solar dryers, for instance, have found utility at the micro level. These modular appliances consume less energy and are highly cost-effective. As a result, several SMEs in the food processing sector are seen investing in these dryers to optimise their cost and enhance their productivity.
“Solar food processing technology is a highly cost-effective technology that has helped food companies to manufacture hygienic products of international standards. Considering that small companies often find it difficult to implement new technologies owing to financial constraints, solar food processing technology will prove extremely beneficial for them,” believes Prof Rajesh Kumar, Head of Department, Agricultural Engineering at Tirhut College of Agriculture, Muzaffarpur, Bihar.
Food technologists opine that solar food processing technology has wide application in rural India where small food manufacturers suffer due to lack of proper infrastructure. Since the technology uses solar energy for operation, it is best suited for companies operating out of smaller towns and villages who have recurrent power problems.
According to Mr Kumar, “This technology can also provide employment opportunities to a large section of the rural population. As the products manufactured using this technology are of global standards, small-sized manufacturers can export their products to various parts of the country.”
Protecting the environment
As the solar food processing technology uses solar energy, it does not emit harmful carbon gases into the atmosphere that have an adverse impact on the ecological system. Therefore, food technologists feel that the technology should be adopted on a greater scale to promote eco-friendliness.
Need for government support
For the successful implementation of solar food processing technology in India, it is extremely critical to understand the intricacies of food science and solar drying principles.
According to P Jagadish, proprietor of a small-sized biscuit manufacturing company in Hubli, Harys Trading Company, “Although there is immense scope for solar food processing technology in the rural parts of the country, rigorous training and close supervision are required at each level. Since, farmers and traders in these parts do not have the necessary technical expertise, the government and non-profit organisations (NPOs) should join hands to spread awareness in these regions.”
It is also important to provide adequate marketing support to SMEs to ensure income generation at the grass root level. Given that the demand for hygienic food is on the rise across the world, products manufactured using solar food processing technology can be marketed to different countries across the globe.
The government too is keen on promoting this technology to boost the food processing industry in India. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy recently announced a 50% subsidy on import of solar dryers. It can thus be said that with further innovations, solar food processing technology will attain great significance in the near future. Shubhomita Bose |
