Barriers and Drivers for Solar Dryer Adoption in Nepal
(2024) MVKM01 20241Department of Energy Sciences
- Abstract
- This master’s thesis is part of the project SolarFood, aimed at reducing post-harvest losses through improved solar drying techniques. The project focuses on developing locally adapted solar dryers, with short drying times while considering socio-economic factors for technology adoption and diffusion. This paper investigates adoption barriers and potential drivers for the diffusion of solar dryer technology among small-scale farmers in Nepal.
The research was carried out through a study of relevant literature, which was then analyzed together with the results from field studies done in three regions of Nepal, addressed to external stakeholders. The aim was to understand the potential for adoption, scalability, and diffusion of the solar... (More) - This master’s thesis is part of the project SolarFood, aimed at reducing post-harvest losses through improved solar drying techniques. The project focuses on developing locally adapted solar dryers, with short drying times while considering socio-economic factors for technology adoption and diffusion. This paper investigates adoption barriers and potential drivers for the diffusion of solar dryer technology among small-scale farmers in Nepal.
The research was carried out through a study of relevant literature, which was then analyzed together with the results from field studies done in three regions of Nepal, addressed to external stakeholders. The aim was to understand the potential for adoption, scalability, and diffusion of the solar dryers developed within the SolarFood project. Findings reveal several challenges, including farmers’ limited awareness of the technology and dissatisfaction with market conditions for dried products. These persists despite government policies and initiatives in Nepal aimed at promoting the adoption of solar dryers. To overcome these barriers, this study proposes the distribution of solar dryers alongside comprehensive training programs tailored for both
local manufacturers and users. These programs should focus on developing technical skills related to the maintenance, repair, and troubleshooting of solar dryers.
Moreover, for solar dryers to diffuse among farmers across Nepal, their design must be optimized and tailored to align with farmers’ preferences and environmental conditions. There is potential of enhancing the current third-generation solar dryer developed within the project. This involves enhancing portability and ensuring that the materials used are readily available locally across the country, facilitating decentralized production. Technical refinements are crucial to create a dryer that not only fulfills farmers’ needs but also remains both technically and economically competitive with dryers eligible for subsidies.
Overall, the study underscores the significance of socio-economic factors in ensuring the successful adoption and diffusion of solar drying technology in agricultural practices. Neighbor-to-neighbor communication is identified as a potent driver for disseminating information, with the expectation that as more farmers become acquainted with the project’s solar dryer, demand for the same dryer will increase. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
http://lup.lub.lu.se/student-papers/record/9163921
- author
- Lundquist, Magnus LU and Sonesson, Ida
- supervisor
- organization
- course
- MVKM01 20241
- year
- 2024
- type
- H3 - Professional qualifications (4 Years - )
- subject
- keywords
- Solar dryer, Nepal, Post-harvest losses, Adoption of agricultural technology, Diffusion of innovations
- report number
- LUTMDN/TMHP-24/5568-SE
- ISSN
- 0282-1990
- language
- English
- id
- 9163921
- date added to LUP
- 2024-06-19 08:59:33
- date last changed
- 2024-06-19 08:59:33
@misc{9163921,
abstract = {{This master’s thesis is part of the project SolarFood, aimed at reducing post-harvest losses through improved solar drying techniques. The project focuses on developing locally adapted solar dryers, with short drying times while considering socio-economic factors for technology adoption and diffusion. This paper investigates adoption barriers and potential drivers for the diffusion of solar dryer technology among small-scale farmers in Nepal.
The research was carried out through a study of relevant literature, which was then analyzed together with the results from field studies done in three regions of Nepal, addressed to external stakeholders. The aim was to understand the potential for adoption, scalability, and diffusion of the solar dryers developed within the SolarFood project. Findings reveal several challenges, including farmers’ limited awareness of the technology and dissatisfaction with market conditions for dried products. These persists despite government policies and initiatives in Nepal aimed at promoting the adoption of solar dryers. To overcome these barriers, this study proposes the distribution of solar dryers alongside comprehensive training programs tailored for both
local manufacturers and users. These programs should focus on developing technical skills related to the maintenance, repair, and troubleshooting of solar dryers.
Moreover, for solar dryers to diffuse among farmers across Nepal, their design must be optimized and tailored to align with farmers’ preferences and environmental conditions. There is potential of enhancing the current third-generation solar dryer developed within the project. This involves enhancing portability and ensuring that the materials used are readily available locally across the country, facilitating decentralized production. Technical refinements are crucial to create a dryer that not only fulfills farmers’ needs but also remains both technically and economically competitive with dryers eligible for subsidies.
Overall, the study underscores the significance of socio-economic factors in ensuring the successful adoption and diffusion of solar drying technology in agricultural practices. Neighbor-to-neighbor communication is identified as a potent driver for disseminating information, with the expectation that as more farmers become acquainted with the project’s solar dryer, demand for the same dryer will increase.}},
author = {{Lundquist, Magnus and Sonesson, Ida}},
issn = {{0282-1990}},
language = {{eng}},
note = {{Student Paper}},
title = {{Barriers and Drivers for Solar Dryer Adoption in Nepal}},
year = {{2024}},
}