Challenges and Drivers for the Adoption of Improved Solar Drying Technologies in Mango Farming: A Case Study of Smallholder Farmers in Mozambique
Viola Salvador, Paula LU ; Kugbega, Selorm LU ; Lazarte, Claudia LU ; Tivana, Lucas and Gómez Galindo, Federico LU
(2025)
In Sustainability
17(18).
- Abstract
- Mango production plays a vital role in rural livelihoods in Mozambique, yet post-harvest losses remain high, ranging from 25% to over 50%, due to inadequate preservation methods. Improved solar drying technologies offer a sustainable solution by extending shelf life and enhancing product quality. However, their adoption among smallholder mango farmers remains limited. This study investigates the key barriers and drivers influencing the uptake of these technologies in three districts of Inhambane Province, through a combination of literature review and semi-structured interviews. Major barriers include limited technical knowledge, high upfront costs, poor market access, and limited institutional support. Field data show that over 80% of... (More)
- Mango production plays a vital role in rural livelihoods in Mozambique, yet post-harvest losses remain high, ranging from 25% to over 50%, due to inadequate preservation methods. Improved solar drying technologies offer a sustainable solution by extending shelf life and enhancing product quality. However, their adoption among smallholder mango farmers remains limited. This study investigates the key barriers and drivers influencing the uptake of these technologies in three districts of Inhambane Province, through a combination of literature review and semi-structured interviews. Major barriers include limited technical knowledge, high upfront costs, poor market access, and limited institutional support. Field data show that over 80% of farmers are unaware of improved fruit drying techniques, and fewer than 5% have received any training. While the literature emphasizes environmental sustainability and policy support, field interviews highlight a stronger interest in practical enablers, such as affordable systems, hands-on training, and income-generating potential. The study calls for a multisectoral approach, involving financial support, capacity-building, and strengthened extension services to promote adoption. Scaling solar drying technologies can significantly reduce post-harvest losses and strengthen the mango value chain, contributing to food security and rural development in Mozambique. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
https://lup.lub.lu.se/record/39549688-e500-4cf8-a4be-575c6047ccc1
- author
- Viola Salvador, Paula
LU
; Kugbega, Selorm
LU
; Lazarte, Claudia
LU
; Tivana, Lucas
and Gómez Galindo, Federico
LU
- organization
- publishing date
- 2025-09-17
- type
- Contribution to journal
- publication status
- published
- subject
- in
- Sustainability
- volume
- 17
- issue
- 18
- publisher
- MDPI AG
- external identifiers
-
- scopus:105017175193
- ISSN
- 2071-1050
- DOI
- 10.3390/su17188325
- language
- English
- LU publication?
- yes
- id
- 39549688-e500-4cf8-a4be-575c6047ccc1
- date added to LUP
- 2025-10-16 15:57:37
- date last changed
- 2025-10-21 09:57:09
@article{39549688-e500-4cf8-a4be-575c6047ccc1,
abstract = {{Mango production plays a vital role in rural livelihoods in Mozambique, yet post-harvest losses remain high, ranging from 25% to over 50%, due to inadequate preservation methods. Improved solar drying technologies offer a sustainable solution by extending shelf life and enhancing product quality. However, their adoption among smallholder mango farmers remains limited. This study investigates the key barriers and drivers influencing the uptake of these technologies in three districts of Inhambane Province, through a combination of literature review and semi-structured interviews. Major barriers include limited technical knowledge, high upfront costs, poor market access, and limited institutional support. Field data show that over 80% of farmers are unaware of improved fruit drying techniques, and fewer than 5% have received any training. While the literature emphasizes environmental sustainability and policy support, field interviews highlight a stronger interest in practical enablers, such as affordable systems, hands-on training, and income-generating potential. The study calls for a multisectoral approach, involving financial support, capacity-building, and strengthened extension services to promote adoption. Scaling solar drying technologies can significantly reduce post-harvest losses and strengthen the mango value chain, contributing to food security and rural development in Mozambique.}},
author = {{Viola Salvador, Paula and Kugbega, Selorm and Lazarte, Claudia and Tivana, Lucas and Gómez Galindo, Federico}},
issn = {{2071-1050}},
language = {{eng}},
month = {{09}},
number = {{18}},
publisher = {{MDPI AG}},
series = {{Sustainability}},
title = {{Challenges and Drivers for the Adoption of Improved Solar Drying Technologies in Mango Farming: A Case Study of Smallholder Farmers in Mozambique}},
url = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/su17188325}},
doi = {{10.3390/su17188325}},
volume = {{17}},
year = {{2025}},
}