Advancing Clean Energy Drying Solutions
In July 2024, Synnefa received part of a $1.7 million grant from the Efficiency for Access Research and Development Fund, supported by the IKEA Foundation and UK aid. This boost aims to strengthen clean agricultural technologies across Sub‑Saharan Africa and Asia.
The funds will be used to develop Smart Solar Dryers, combining greenhouse-style drying with FarmShield IoT sensors for real-time control and monitoring.
These smart greenhouse dryers—designed for cooperatives handling high-value crops like coffee, tomatoes, mango, and pyrethrum—are being rolled out in partnership with county governments in Kiambu, Kitui, and Makueni.
The system incorporates two powerful components:
FarmShield IoT devices, powered by solar, that automatically regulate humidity and temperature inside the drying greenhouse.
The FarmCloud platform, which provides live data, drying reports, tracking for inputs and outputs, and market linkage via web or USSD access—even in remote locations.
The smart drying solution is designed to:
Increase the volume of dried products for farmers.
Reduce drying times from 5–7 days to just 3–4 days, decreasing spoilage.
Improve market access and income opportunities for cooperatives.
Why This Matters
Drastically cuts food waste and time-to-market, preserving quality and shelf life.
Brings climate-smart, solar-powered drying to smallholder communities—no grid needed.
Empowers farmer cooperatives with real-time visibility and links to buyers, boosting profitability.
Aligns with global clean-energy goals, supporting sustainability and resilience in agriculture.