THE BACKGROUND: 

India is primarily an agricultural nation, with over 45% of its workforce engaged in the sector. Yet, agriculture contributes only 18% to the national GDP, highlighting significant productivity challenges. One of the most pressing issues is post-harvest loss.India loses approximately 74 million tonnes of food every year, nearly 10% of total produce and up to 22% of food grains, resulting in an economic loss of about INR 1.53 trillion annually.

During a farm visit, we witnessed this problem firsthand, with piles of fruits and vegetables rotting in the sun due to excess moisture and insect infestations. Small and marginal farmers still rely on traditional open-air sun drying, which is inconsistent and exposes produce to dust, animals, and spoilage. Meanwhile, commercial solar dryers cost between INR 20,000 and 40,000, making them unaffordable for many rural families.

THE SOLUTION: SOLAR SEVA

Solar Seva is our dream project, developed in proud collaboration with the Harvesting Foundation and guided by the expertise of our mentors, Ruchit Garg (Founder and CEO of HFN) and Nadish Chaudhry (Marine Chief Engineer & Mechanical Engineer).

Inspired by the challenges faced by farmers, we set out to design a sustainable and affordable solar dryer using recycled wood and other waste materials. Our aim is to provide a practical and accessible alternative to inefficient open-air drying, which many small and marginal farmers still rely on, while remaining significantly more affordable than expensive industrial machinery.

Solar Seva is designed as an eco-friendly and cost-effective solution to traditional sun drying, which often exposes produce to dust, insects, animals, and uneven drying conditions. By creating a controlled drying environment, Solar Seva helps improve food safety, reduce contamination, and enable faster and more uniform drying compared to open-air sun drying.

JOURNEY OF SOLAR SEVA:

Commercial solar dryers cost between INR 20,000 and 40,000, making them unaffordable for many smallholder farmers. Solar Seva bridges this gap by offering a low-cost, rural-ready alternative built using upcycled materials. The design focuses on affordability, simplicity, and farmer education, making it easy to adopt and maintain.

Supported by the Harvesting Foundation, which has trained 6,200 farmers across India, the initiative empowers farmers to build and use these dryers themselves. By providing a clean, controlled drying environment, Solar Seva reduces spoilage, preserves nutrition, and helps farmers store produce longer and sell at better market prices.

Through Solar Seva, we have developed an affordable solar dryer that costs just INR 13,000 per unit. 

The solar dryer measures 3 ft by 2 ft, with an adjustable height. It includes two fans to regulate airflow and maintain the temperature inside the drying chamber, ensuring efficient air circulation under the mesh and over the warm corrugated sheet.

The unit operates within a temperature range of 30–60°C and has a batch capacity of 10–20 kg. It is covered with a UV-protected sheet or glass to trap heat, while mesh airflow and exhaust ports ensure proper ventilation and prevent insect entry.

The unit maximises thermodynamic efficiency through a few key components:

• By virtue of the position of the inlet and outlet ports, the dry air enters under the mesh and passes over the produce to absorb the moisture and hence dries the items.

• The moisture-rich air is expelled/exhausted from the drying chamber by the exhaust fan. To achieve the appropriate temperature in the drying chamber, the inlet port opening can be regulated, and the number of exhaust fans working can be selected.

• Heat Absorption: The black corrugated sheet underneath the mesh increases the surface area to absorb the solar energy efficiently, thus making the contraption efficient.

• The solar-charged battery is used to power the exhaust fans, which ventilate the drying chamber and prevent Molds.

• Protection: Integrated netting keeps insects out, ensuring high food-safety standards.

ADVANTAGES AND BENEFITS:

• Preserves produce and extends shelf life.

• Faster drying, saving time and effort.

• Reduces spoilage and post-harvest losses.

• Protects produce from contamination (insects, birds, animals).

• Shields crops from weather such as rain and humidity.

• Prevents fungal growth by avoiding exposure to the open environment.

• Improves product quality, leading to better market prices.

• Cost-effective, powered entirely by sunlight.

• Suitable for multiple crops (e.g., tomatoes, chillies, ginger, turmeric).

• Easy to use, with no special skills required.

ABOUT US:

We are Vivaan Chaudhary from Strawberry High School, Chandigarh, and Ruhaan Garg from SWS, Mohali. Our campaign aims to raise funds to design a more ergonomic solar dryer and help many farmers reduce post-harvest losses through an affordable solar dryer called Solar Seva.

Solar Seva is an affordable, recycled-material solar dryer designed to tackle post-harvest loss. We empower small farmers to move beyond traditional drying, helping them preserve their harvest and secure their financial future.

Through this campaign, we hope to support the development and deployment of Solar Seva units and train farmers to build and use them effectively. By doing so, we can help farmers store their produce for longer periods, sell when market prices are favourable, and protect the fruits of their hard work.

PROJECT ROADMAP:

• Phase 1: Initial Experimentation – Model demonstration and gathering stakeholder feedback.

• Phase 2: Research and Planning – Technical feasibility studies and material procurement.

• Phase 3: Prototype Development – Finalising design and assembling the core fabrication team.

• Phase 4: Ergonomic Design - Having completed the initial development, we are now transitioning into Phase 4, which focuses on optimising the solar dryer for ergonomic use and practical field handling.

• Phase 5: Evaluation and Scale-Up – Implementing improvements to accommodate larger commercial yields.

By supporting this campaign, you are helping farmers save their harvest, reduce food waste, and build more resilient livelihoods using the power of the sun, and it just costs INR 13,000 to manufacture one!

COST BREAK-UP:

MAP:

The Solar Seva solar dryers will be deployed in Village Kandrehar (PO Chetru) and Village Chetru, located in Tehsil Dharamshala, District Kangra, Himachal Pradesh. These villages are home to small and marginal farmers who depend largely on agriculture for their livelihood.

The above image shows the farmer beneficiaries from villages in the Dharamshala district of Himachal Pradesh.

By introducing solar dryers in this cluster, the initiative aims to help farmers reduce post-harvest losses, preserve their produce more effectively, and improve their income by enabling them to store and sell dried products at better market prices.

ABOUT HARVESTING FOUNDATION:

The Harvesting Foundation is instrumental in building a resilient and vibrant rural economy where local entrepreneurs are empowered to succeed and create a lasting impact. Their initiatives in cluster development, value-added services, and personalised support are pivotal in reshaping rural India. The Foundation operates on the belief that sustainable development occurs when local entrepreneurs are equipped with the necessary skills, resources, and support systems.

TAX BENEFITS:

Funding for this campaign is eligible for tax breaks, as Harvesting Foundation is a registered trust, and you can avail of benefits under section 80G of the IT Act. Foreign funding is NOT accepted.