1.2 Contact details of resource persons and institutions involved in the assessment and documentation of the Technology

1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

The compiler and key resource person(s) accept the conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT:

Yes

1.4 Declaration on sustainability of the described Technology

Is the Technology described here problematic with regard to land degradation, so that it cannot be declared a sustainable land management technology?

No

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

A portable wooden frame solar drier with polythene cover used for drying low moisture content crop produce such as chili and maize. The crop is placed inside the drier and takes 2-3 days to dry depending on the humidity and moisture content at harvest.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

Postharvest crop losses constitute a major concern among farming communities in northern Uganda. This is primarily due to suboptimal drying facilities used by farmers, despite the availability of all year round natural solar radiation. It was in light of this challenge that the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) introduced and promoted a low-cost handy solar drier among the rural farming communities in and around the Murchison Falls National Park. The purpose was to reduce human wildlife conflict incidences such as poaching or destruction of crops and properties by stray animals from the game park. The technology bears potential for out scaling to other non-targeted communities as well.

The drier consists of a wooden frame made from locally available wood material (preferably timber of 2" x 3"), measuring about 1 m wide by 2 m long and 2 m high. The floor where crop produce is placed is made of mesh of materials such as wire mesh or papyrus mat. The entire frame is surrounded by a 0.2 mm thick transparent UV stabilized plastic sheet, leaving a small portion for air inlet on the lower bed and exit vent at the top. The drier is placed in an open air place within the homestead.
The drier is most suited for drying low moisture content crop produce such as chili, maize, beans and green vegetables.

The drier is able to dry crop produce during periods of high humidity or low sunlight intensity, cover a short time to dry produce and prevents contamination of produce with bacterial or fungal spores that may occur due to improper drying procedures. It is not affected by blowing wind or rainfall; thus a farmer can leave the produce to dry on its own. Produce dried are of higher quality than when dried in open sun. The drier also reduces loss of valuable vitamins in fruits and prevents fruit burning. However, the cost associated with buying a brand new type of this drier made from modern materials is high.

2.3 Photos of the Technology

2.5 Country/ region/ locations where the Technology has been applied and which are covered by this assessment

Country:

Uganda

Region/ State/ Province:

Nwoya district

Further specification of location:

Anaka sub-county, Agung village

Specify the spread of the Technology:

• applied at specific points/ concentrated on a small area

Comments:

Farmer located in Agung Village, Laliya sub village

applied at specific points/ concentrated on a small area

Map

×

2.6 Date of implementation

If precise year is not known, indicate approximate date:

• less than 10 years ago (recently)

2.7 Introduction of the Technology

Specify how the Technology was introduced:

• through projects/ external interventions

Comments (type of project, etc.):

Project by Uganda Wildlife Authority for the neighboring communities surrounding the national park as a measure to result human wildlife conflicts through encouraging production of crops not destroyed by wildlife.

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

• improve production
• create beneficial economic impact
• create beneficial social impact

3.2 Current land use type(s) where the Technology is applied

Cropland

• Annual cropping

Annual cropping - Specify crops:

• cereals - maize
• legumes and pulses - beans

• chili, green vegetables, fruits

Number of growing seasons per year:

• 2

Specify:

1st rain mid march to june; 2nd rain mid july to november

Settlements, infrastructure

• Settlements, buildings

Remarks:

The technology is applied within the home stead

3.4 Water supply

Water supply for the land on which the Technology is applied:

• rainfed

3.5 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

• post-harvest measures

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

other measures

Comments:

post harvest handling of farm produce

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

other

Comments:

helps to preserve produce in sustainable way, thus indirectly addressing land degradation

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

Specify the goal of the Technology with regard to land degradation:

• not applicable

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

4.2 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

Specify how costs and inputs were calculated:

• per Technology unit

other/ national currency (specify):

Uganda Shillings

If relevant, indicate exchange rate from USD to local currency (e.g. 1 USD = 79.9 Brazilian Real): 1 USD =:

3650.0

4.3 Establishment activities

4.4 Costs and inputs needed for establishment

If you are unable to break down the costs in the table above, give an estimation of the total costs of establishing the Technology:

200000.0

If land user bore less than 100% of costs, indicate who covered the remaining costs:

Uganda Wildlife Authority

4.5 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

4.6 Costs and inputs needed for maintenance/ recurrent activities (per year)

Comments:

The solar drier is maintained whenever the polythene sheet tears off; usually after three years as recommended by Uganda Wildlife Authority

4.7 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

Material costs for constructing the drier. These include cost of timber, stabilized UV polythene sheet and iron nails.

5.1 Climate

5.2 Topography

Indicate if the Technology is specifically applied in:

• not relevant

5.3 Soils

5.4 Water availability and quality

Is water salinity a problem?

No

Is flooding of the area occurring?

No

5.5 Biodiversity

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

5.7 Average area of land used by land users applying the Technology

5.8 Land ownership, land use rights, and water use rights

Land ownership:

• individual, not titled

Land use rights:

• individual

Water use rights:

• communal (organized)

5.9 Access to services and infrastructure

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Production

Income and costs

Socio-cultural impacts

6.2 Off-site impacts the Technology has shown

6.3 Exposure and sensitivity of the Technology to gradual climate change and climate-related extremes/ disasters (as perceived by land users)

Gradual climate change

Gradual climate change

Climate-related extremes (disasters)

Meteorological disasters

6.4 Cost-benefit analysis

How do the benefits compare with the establishment costs (from land users’ perspective)?

How do the benefits compare with the maintenance/ recurrent costs (from land users' perspective)?

6.5 Adoption of the Technology

• 1-10%

Of all those who have adopted the Technology, how many did so spontaneously, i.e. without receiving any material incentives/ payments?

• 0-10%

Comments:

Project promoted by UWA

6.6 Adaptation

Has the Technology been modified recently to adapt to changing conditions?

No

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

6.8 Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks of the Technology and ways of overcoming them

7.1 Methods/ sources of information