The cold chain model that will make farmers become independent entrepreneurs. India tops the world in vegetable production but comes last in export of processed food. This is the leap to achieve new goal under make in india

1. Concept by Nature’s Craft, 2017
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Entrepreneur model of sun drying vegetables, fish and medicinal
plants by marginalized communities/farmers/fishermen.
BACKGROUND:
Sun drying of daily consumables like vegetables and fish is been traditionally integral part
of some communities in central, north and west India. Many communities do sun drying
of vegetables like tomatoes, okra, guar bean, beetle etc. for self-consumption during
unavailability of vegetables in specific seasons. In western part of the country fish, Okra,
onion, tomato, cucumber has been dried in an exposed sun light which is mostly exported
to other states and some western countries however due to poor quality, shape and lack
of quantity supply hampers several times.
India is the second largest producer of vegetables in the world next only to China and
accounts for about 15 per of the world production of vegetables. It is estimated that 20-
25 per cent of the total vegetables produced in the country are lost due to poor storage
and transportation practices. Presently, a mere 2 per cent of fruits and vegetables are
processed, even as the county ranks second in the world in terms of production. This is
comparatively low when compared to other countries like Brazil (30 per cent), USA (70
per cent) and Malaysia (82 per cent). The national policy aims to increase the percentage
of food being processed in the country 25 per cent by 2025.
Being in the landscapes and working closely with farmers, farmers do have an opportunity
to become part of global business, dehydrated vegetables and ethno-botany products
can be brought into both export and local market. Let’s take an example of only two states.
Sr. No State Surplus vegetables Medicinal plants
1 Madhya Pradesh - Onion
- Tomato
- Citrus fruits
- Moringa
Emblica officinalis (Aonla)
Chlorophytum sp. (Safed
musli)
Bael, Beheda, Dhwai,
Mahua, Kalmegh, Satwari
2 Uttar Pradesh - Peas
- Beans
- Onions
- Tomato
Source: Vegetable map of India, Ministry of Food Processing Industries and drying of
medicinal plants (source- MPSFRI)
The surplus production in each state either goes waste or goes to markets where farmers
are not getting enough returns. Turning surplus production as another profit-making

2. Concept by Nature’s Craft, 2017
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machine, can be achieved through solar dryers, is the dream that farmers see.
Introduction of sun dryers to the farmers can create more entrepreneur and can double
their annual income. While the landless nomadic communities like Pardhis or traditional
plant collectors who have terrific knowledge about medicinal plants can be provided with
such solar dryers and direct benefits shall be provided with linking them with
pharmaceutical industries.
THE MODEL:
THEORY:
 Implementation agency will identify area of project and mobilize community
for the entrepreneur model.
o Implementation agency will buy solar dryer as per the community need.
There are two kinds of dryers. One shall be utilized by group or SHG. And
single batch machine for individuals.
PRODUCECRS/FARMERS
SOLAR DRYER SUPPORT
TO THE INDENTIFIED
GROUP/INDIVIDUALS
BY Implementation
agency/govt/NGO
MONITORING
MOBILISE
COMMUNITIES
MARKETING/TRAINING
AND SUPPLY OF SOLAR
DRYER by Nature's Craft
BUY BACK OF FINALE
PRODUCT FROM
FARMERS AT
COMPETITIVE RATES
Profit deposited in SHG
or individual accounts

3. Concept by Nature’s Craft, 2017
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o Nature’s craft- will supply solar dryers, train farmers, packaging training and
buy back produced material as per the quality.
TYPES OF SOLAR DRYERS:
The small solar 10 Kg capacity ACD dryer is meant for rural farmers or small fishermen, its loading
capacity is up to 10Kgs per day. The small Solar ACD dryer is also patented by us for its unique
design and features. Drying times are usually 1-2 days, depending on location where it is installed
and item for drying. It is available in modular format and is very convenient to transport and can
be assembled at site by the client himself. It is modular in nature, and can be used effectively by
adding more number of dryers to up to 100Kgs (10kg x 10). The cost of the ACD dryer is about
INR 40,000/- including GST and Transportation (Transportation to nearest city).
Another small dryer that we have developed is the 20Kg Solar dryer. This is again meant for small
farmers who would like to dry their produce. This is preassembled model, where only joining of
two components is required at the client end. But crating is deemed necessary for individual units
if they are to be transported alone. The cost of this 20kg SD is about INR 60,000/- including GST
and Transportation (Transportation to nearest city).
IMPELEMENTATION
SHG/ INSTITUTE
20 KG Capacity solar dryer
PACKAGING by GROUP
PICK UP AND TRANSPORT
TO BUYER AGENCY
INDIVIDUAL
10 KG Capacity solar dryer
PACKAGING BY
INDIVIDUAL
PICK UP AND TRANSPORT
TO BUYER AGENCY

4. Concept by Nature’s Craft, 2017
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Type: Active compact direct a solar DC fans to give forced draft. Just 8ftx4ft, completely
dismantlable, easy to transport. Direct solar radiation to heat the food and indirect heating
by the use of an absorber.
FEATURES:
 Especially black coated solar collector heats air, titled design automatically
pushes air towards the tray.
 Specially designed tall black chimney increases the chimney effect and
enhances air flow rate over the tray.
 Flow rate further increased by use of 4 efficient solar fans to increase air
flow from the chimney.
 The SS tray on which vegetables are placed is insulated so that all energy
recovered by if is transferred to the product and minimizing heat loss.
WHO CAN USE AND WHAT CAN BE DRY?
 Small farmers, NGOs, CSR, Govt, Agriculture and fisheries dept,
 Dry anything from Tomato, Onion, Potato, methi, palak, pudina, ginger, garlic,
cabbage, aonla, harra, mahua, behra, sattavri, safed musli, beet, carrot, okra,
sapote, mango, karela, capsicum, bottle guard, apple, pineapple, jackfruit.
 It takes 4-6 hours for leafy like coriander, mint and fenu-greek leaves
 It takes 8-10 hours for Tomato, Onion and potato.
 6-10 hours for okra, bottle guard and karela
 And for medicinal plants from 1 hour to a day depends on climate, quantity and
moisture.
BENEFITS OF WORKING WITH N’S C.
Nature’s Craft will take care of transportation, training, installation, packaging training,
creating storing facilities and buy back of material.