Page 34 - IB November 2024

Pacific farmers and energy. Solar dryers have become a popular renewable energy
exporters embrace technology for cacao and kava.
In Vanuatu, PHAMA Plus supported local cocoa processor
solar drying and exporter Gaston Chocolat with solar dryers to improve the
quality and drying time for premium quality cacao beans. Their
production volume for export increased from 12 mt to 60 mt,
resulting in the company offering up to 150% price premium to
smallholder cacao growers. Other cacao exporters in Vanuatu
are also investing in solar dryers with support from PHAMA
Plus. Subsequently, the Vanuatu Primary Producers Authority
A solar tunnel dryer for (VPPA) is also supporting kava exporters and farmers with
kava on Savaii in Samoa second-generation solar dryers made with durable, high-quality
materials.
ecurring natural disasters and extreme weather patterns Solar dryers are also proving successful for kava exporters
Rare disrupting the production of export commodities in Samoa, with increasing demand for this simple, yet effective
such as root crops, cacao and kava in the Pacific. As a result, innovation for drying high-quality kava for export markets.
production volumes and quality from poor postharvest PHAMA Plus has assisted a number of businesses in Samoa
processing conditions decline, leading to loss of markets for with solar tunnel dryers that have improved the drying capacity
exporters and declining livelihoods for farming households. and production volume of kava and allowed them to expand
Improving postharvest processing conditions can provide into exports of cacao and coconuts with lower energy inputs.
exporters and farmers with better storage and processing As a versatile and affordable innovation, solar dryers are
facilities that minimise the wastage of crops. However, high becoming increasingly popular with Pacific farmers and
energy demands and unreliable electricity supply remain exporters, compared to electric dryers. The technology is
barriers to improving postharvest quality, especially in remote simple to use, easy to manage, and only needs sunshine to
and rural locations in the Pacific. Investing in clean energy from dry products quickly, and in a hygienic environment. Simple
renewable sources is a solution to the energy demands for solar dryers can be modified with solar-powered fans for faster
postharvest processing in off-grid and rural communities. The drying and with vertical layers of trays to increase the drying
abundance of sunshine in the Pacific can provide solar energy capacity.
to meet the energy demands for cold storage and operating PHAMA Plus’s approach to enhancing the resilience of
processing equipment. Pacific food production systems seeks to make positive
The Australia and New Zealand supported Pacific contributions to clean energy technology for farmers in the
Horticultural and Agricultural Market Access Plus (PHAMA Pacific.
Plus) Program is working with exporters and farmers in the
Pacific to pilot postharvest processing technology using solar info@phamaplus.com.au
www.phamaplus.com.au
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Energizing the South Pacific

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34 Islands Business, November 2024