FOCUS: WOMEN AND LIVELIHOODS

Project: All India coordinated research project on biomass-based tray dryers

Funded by:  Department of Science and Technology (DST), Bangalore

Duration:  May 2008 to May 2010

This two-year research project on biomass dryers to be used in different geographical regions of India is being funded by the Department of Science & Technology of the Government of India.

The following NGOs in the sub-Himalayan region and in the North-east were identified for introduction to and demonstration of the biomass dryers:
INHERE, Almora; ATI, Ukhimath; CTD, Dehradun; STD, Mandi and Bethany in Shillong.

All NGOs prepared proposals for the use of dryers in order to enhance the livelihoods of women in their regions. Each NGO identified various products to be dried such as apples, apricots, turmeric, etc. Guidance was given to each NGO for the calculation of techno-economic factors of each product, in order to include the same in their proposals. The proposals were collated and sent to DST for approval.

A combustion chamber with an attached hopper, to feed loose and light fuel (e.g. dried pine needles) into the combustion chamber of the dryer, was designed. There is continuous fuel supply to the combustion chamber, due to the hopper with a piston arrangement. A sloping grate in the combustion chamber allows primary air to enter it and maintain the right air-fuel ratio which ensures efficient burning.

The handouts forming a part of the technical training materials have been translated into Hindi, for use in the technical training that will take place after the approval of the NGOs’ proposals.

Once the proposals are approved, a fabricator at one of the partner’s sites will be trained to build the dryer with the hopper attachment. Subsequent to that, the NGOs will be trained in the use of the dryers.