Barriers and drivers for solar dryer adoption in Bhutan and Nepal : A study from the perspective of farmers and producers
Andreasson, Noah LU ; Lundevaller, Linda ; Sonesson, Ida ; Lundquist, Magnus ; Dorji, Cheku ; Humagai, Bharat Kumar ; Zangmo, Phurpa ; Baral, Bivek LU ; Davidsson, Henrik LU and Andersson, Martin LU
(2026)
In Energy for Sustainable Development
93.
- Abstract
Post-harvest losses are a significant challenge in Bhutan and Nepal, where around half and two thirds of the population rely on agriculture for their livelihoods. Traditional open-sun drying methods suffer from contamination, slow drying and weather vulnerability, contributing to losses that can reach 40%–73% for certain crops. While improved solar drying technology offers promising opportunities to reduce such losses, adoption among small-scale farmers remains limited, despite clear benefits and abundant solar resources in both countries. Empirical studies investigating the dynamics behind this reality are also scarce in the region. This study aims to address this knowledge gap, by investigating barriers and drivers influencing solar... (More)
Post-harvest losses are a significant challenge in Bhutan and Nepal, where around half and two thirds of the population rely on agriculture for their livelihoods. Traditional open-sun drying methods suffer from contamination, slow drying and weather vulnerability, contributing to losses that can reach 40%–73% for certain crops. While improved solar drying technology offers promising opportunities to reduce such losses, adoption among small-scale farmers remains limited, despite clear benefits and abundant solar resources in both countries. Empirical studies investigating the dynamics behind this reality are also scarce in the region. This study aims to address this knowledge gap, by investigating barriers and drivers influencing solar dryer adoption among small-scale farmers in Bhutan and Nepal using thematic analysis. It is based on 67 semi-structured interviews with local farmers and carpenters across six regions, supplemented by literature reviews and interviews with ministries and agricultural authorities. 24 distinct barriers and 28 drivers are identified, spanning economic, technical, governmental and design-related factors, among others. Lack of awareness emerged as the primary barrier in both countries: 59% and 64% of non-users in Bhutan (n = 19 of 32) and Nepal (n = 18 of 28) respectively were completely unaware that solar dryers exist, and 82%–95% of those who elaborated (n = 23 of 28 and n = 19 of 20 for Bhutan and Nepal respectively) cited insufficient information as the primary reason for not having invested in improved solar drying technology. Other critical barriers include concerns about long-term technical support reinforced by negative experiences with previously failed pilot projects, challenging investment costs compounded by low subsidy awareness, inadequate market infrastructure for dried products, as well as design limitations particularly regarding capacity, portability, and monsoon-season functionality. The findings reveal deep interconnections between barriers, indicating that isolated interventions risk ineffectiveness. Region-specific design adaptations, robust technical support networks, as well as strategic campaigns to spread both awareness and information about the technology and the available governmental support mechanisms, emerged as essential for successful technology diffusion.
(Less)
- author
- Andreasson, Noah
LU
; Lundevaller, Linda
; Sonesson, Ida
; Lundquist, Magnus
; Dorji, Cheku
; Humagai, Bharat Kumar
; Zangmo, Phurpa
; Baral, Bivek
LU
; Davidsson, Henrik
LU
and Andersson, Martin
LU
- organization
- publishing date
- 2026-08
- type
- Contribution to journal
- publication status
- published
- subject
- keywords
- Barriers and drivers, Post-harvest losses, Rural development, Solar dryer, Solar drying, Technology adoption
- in
- Energy for Sustainable Development
- volume
- 93
- article number
- 102024
- pages
- 16 pages
- publisher
- Elsevier
- external identifiers
-
- scopus:105038789899
- ISSN
- 0973-0826
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.esd.2026.102024
- language
- English
- LU publication?
- yes
- additional info
- Publisher Copyright: © 2026 The Authors
- id
- d6563e4c-8139-4e50-b89b-5802df77ce58
- date added to LUP
- 2026-05-28 18:34:20
- date last changed
- 2026-08-11 16:46:31
@article{d6563e4c-8139-4e50-b89b-5802df77ce58,
abstract = {{<p>Post-harvest losses are a significant challenge in Bhutan and Nepal, where around half and two thirds of the population rely on agriculture for their livelihoods. Traditional open-sun drying methods suffer from contamination, slow drying and weather vulnerability, contributing to losses that can reach 40%–73% for certain crops. While improved solar drying technology offers promising opportunities to reduce such losses, adoption among small-scale farmers remains limited, despite clear benefits and abundant solar resources in both countries. Empirical studies investigating the dynamics behind this reality are also scarce in the region. This study aims to address this knowledge gap, by investigating barriers and drivers influencing solar dryer adoption among small-scale farmers in Bhutan and Nepal using thematic analysis. It is based on 67 semi-structured interviews with local farmers and carpenters across six regions, supplemented by literature reviews and interviews with ministries and agricultural authorities. 24 distinct barriers and 28 drivers are identified, spanning economic, technical, governmental and design-related factors, among others. Lack of awareness emerged as the primary barrier in both countries: 59% and 64% of non-users in Bhutan (n = 19 of 32) and Nepal (n = 18 of 28) respectively were completely unaware that solar dryers exist, and 82%–95% of those who elaborated (n = 23 of 28 and n = 19 of 20 for Bhutan and Nepal respectively) cited insufficient information as the primary reason for not having invested in improved solar drying technology. Other critical barriers include concerns about long-term technical support reinforced by negative experiences with previously failed pilot projects, challenging investment costs compounded by low subsidy awareness, inadequate market infrastructure for dried products, as well as design limitations particularly regarding capacity, portability, and monsoon-season functionality. The findings reveal deep interconnections between barriers, indicating that isolated interventions risk ineffectiveness. Region-specific design adaptations, robust technical support networks, as well as strategic campaigns to spread both awareness and information about the technology and the available governmental support mechanisms, emerged as essential for successful technology diffusion.</p>}},
author = {{Andreasson, Noah and Lundevaller, Linda and Sonesson, Ida and Lundquist, Magnus and Dorji, Cheku and Humagai, Bharat Kumar and Zangmo, Phurpa and Baral, Bivek and Davidsson, Henrik and Andersson, Martin}},
issn = {{0973-0826}},
keywords = {{Barriers and drivers; Post-harvest losses; Rural development; Solar dryer; Solar drying; Technology adoption}},
language = {{eng}},
publisher = {{Elsevier}},
series = {{Energy for Sustainable Development}},
title = {{Barriers and drivers for solar dryer adoption in Bhutan and Nepal : A study from the perspective of farmers and producers}},
url = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.esd.2026.102024}},
doi = {{10.1016/j.esd.2026.102024}},
volume = {{93}},
year = {{2026}},
}