Technologies

Solar Mobile Dryer (SMD) [United Arab Emirates]

Creation: 06/07/2024 9:38 a.m.
Update: 07/15/2024 10:51 a.m.
Compiler: Joren Verbist
Editor: –
Reviewers: William Critchley, Rima Mekdaschi Studer

technologies_7197 - United Arab Emirates

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Completeness: 84%

1. General information

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

Key resource person(s)

Principal Natural Resources Economist:

Dhebibi Boubaker

International Center of Agriculture Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA)

Tunisia

Food and Feed Processing Scientist:

Hilali Muhi El-Dine

International Center of Agriculture Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA)

Jordan

Activities Coordinator Officer:

Nejatian Arash

International Center of Agriculture Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA)

United Arab Emirates

Regional Coordinator APRP:

Niane Abdoul Aziz

International Center of Agriculture Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA)

United Arab Emirates

Name of project which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)

ICARDA Institutional Knowledge Management Initiative

Name of the institution(s) which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)

International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) - Lebanon

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?

2. Description of the SLM Technology

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

The innovative Solar Mobile Dryer (SMD) developed by ICARDA addresses climate change challenges for date palm growers in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries by improving fruit quality, reducing waste, saving energy, and enhancing profitability, thereby supporting sustainable and efficient agricultural practices.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

In the Middle East, the date palm is an essential crop with significant cultural and economic value, thriving in dry, arid, and hot climates. However, climate change is exacerbating production challenges, with higher temperatures, heatwaves, water scarcity, harsh winds, leading to poor pollination, and increased pests amongst other issues. Small-scale date palm producers in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries face additional problems of managing unsold or excess produce. Short harvesting periods and high deterioration rates of some date varieties make the situation worse. A common solution to extend shelf life is freezing. However, this has several drawbacks including storage and handling difficulties, nutrient and flavour degradation, and high energy costs.
To tackle these post-harvest challenges, the International Center of Agricultural Research in Dry Areas (ICARDA) developed an innovative Solar Mobile Dryer (SMB) for drying dates, achieving the desired colour for marketing while shielding the produce from dust and rain. The mobile solar dryer includes tables with polycarbonate covers forming a tunnel. Each table is 3 meters long, 1 meter wide, with walls 15-30 cm high, and raised 40 cm off the ground on metal legs. Dates are placed on a mesh for enhanced air flow and drying. Temperatures are kept at 70 degrees Celsius, the same as industrial date drying, to avoid textural changes, hardness, and colour alteration. Two versions of the tables have been produced.
The Jordan version, uses an iron frame and includes four tables that can form a 12-meter tunnel. This dryer has a 12V 40W DC fan, with a control unit and solar panel system, providing 6 hours of operation during the day and 2 hours at night, controlled by a temperature sensor.
The second version was developed in United Arab Emirates (UAE) and features a lighter aluminium frame and a 12V 80W fan fixed on one table. It includes temperature and humidity sensors, two solar panels, and a 20A charging controller.
The advantage and disadvantages of the SMB are as follows:
Advantages:
+ Improves fruit quality, especially in humid areas. Produce dried in greenhouses are often higher quality than those sun-dried.
+ Prevents contamination by insects, birds, dust, and rain.
+ Saves energy and drying time, improves product quality, and increases process efficiency.
+ Solar drying systems have low operation and maintenance costs.
+ Reduces waste and loss rates.
+ Reduces air pollution and greenhouse gases from fossil fuels.
+ Can be used for other products (e.g., fruits, vegetables, medicinal, and aromatic plants).

Disadvantages:
- Drying is limited to sunny days unless integrated with conventional energy systems. Drying without sunshine depends on the humidity difference between inside and outside the chamber.
- Solar drying is slower than conventional fuel or electricity-based dryers.
- Requires large land areas and long drying times, subject to solar radiation and temperature fluctuations.
- Farmers may lack maintenance knowledge for the system.
Economic evaluations of the SMD for two date varieties, Majhool and Lulu, demonstrate high profitability. The initial investment in the SMD is approximately 1,000 USD, with an estimated lifetime of about 10 years. The drying process takes between 1 and 3 days. The SMD has a capacity to dry between 6 and 12 kilograms of dates per square meter of drying surface in the SMD, resulting in production of around 5-10 kilograms of dried dates. Maintenance costs are estimated at 25% of the initial investment, while variable costs such as labour, packaging, and transportation are around 500 USD per month. Based on these figures, the net income per kilogram of dried dates is approximately 2.7 USD. Depending on the date variety, the return-on-investment ranges between 240% and 310%, with a payback period of about 4 months. These numbers indicate that the innovation is highly profitable for farmers.
The SMD is a crucial ICARDA initiative for smallholder date palm growers in the GCC countries, offering energy savings, waste reduction, and post-harvest loss prevention, enhancing the competitiveness of modern agriculture in high date production areas.
We express our sincere gratitude to the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretariat for funding this research under the "Development of sustainable date palm production systems in the GCC countries of the Arabian Peninsula" project. We are grateful to the Ministries of Agriculture, Agricultural Authorities, and Agricultural Research Institutions and Universities in the GCC countries for their continuous support and collaboration in implementing project activities.

2.3 Photos of the Technology

Media Gallery

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

Country:

United Arab Emirates

Specify the spread of the Technology:

applied at specific points/ concentrated on a small area

Is/are the technology site(s) located in a permanently protected area?

2.6 Date of implementation

Indicate year of implementation:

2020

2.7 Introduction of the Technology

Specify how the Technology was introduced:

during experiments/ research
through projects/ external interventions

3. Classification of the SLM Technology

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

improve production
adapt to climate change/ extremes and its impacts
mitigate climate change and its impacts
create beneficial economic impact
create beneficial social impact

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

Land use mixed within the same land unit:

Cropland

Tree and shrub cropping

Tree and shrub cropping - Specify crops:

dates

Number of growing seasons per year:

3.3 Has land use changed due to the implementation of the Technology?

Has land use changed due to the implementation of the Technology?

No (Continue with question 3.4)

3.4 Water supply

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

mixed rainfed-irrigated

3.5 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

post-harvest measures

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

other measures

Specify:

This is a post-harvest and technological innovation.

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

biological degradation

Bq: quantity/ biomass decline

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

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

prevent land degradation
reduce land degradation

Author:

ICARDA

Date:

2024

4.2 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

Specify how costs and inputs were calculated:

per Technology unit

Specify currency used for cost calculations:

4.4 Costs and inputs needed for establishment

	Specify input	Quantity	Costs per Unit	Total costs per input
Equipment	Charger control 1 (off grid, 12v 20A)	1.0
Equipment	Fuse (10A)	2.0
Equipment	Switch (10A)	2.0
Equipment	DC relay (16A)	1.0
Equipment	Sensors (temperature and humidity)	1.0
Equipment	Arduino micro processor
Equipment	LCD screen (2x20)	1.0
Equipment	DC relay (4 relay module)	1.0
Construction material	Polycarbonate board (8-10mm)	2.0
Construction material	Dark fiber board (6mm)	2.0
Construction material	Metal bars (3cm x 3cm x 10mm)	20.0
Construction material	Metal bars (2m x 2m)	10.0
Construction material	Metal hinges (small, <10mm)	8.0
Construction material	Fan (12v 40-80W)	1.0
Construction material	Battery (12v 55A)	1.0
Construction material	Solar panel (170W 12v)	2.0
Other	Voltage regulator (1-40v)	1.0
Other	Plastic terminal box (30cm x 40cm)	1.0
Other	Clock module (5v)	1.0
Other	SD card module (5v)	1.0
Other	BCP board	2.0
Other	Total costs	1.0	1000.0	1000.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology				1000.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology in USD				1000.0

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

1000.0

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

	Specify input	Quantity	Costs per Unit	Total costs per input
Other	Maintenance	1.0	250.0	250.0
Other	Variable (use) cost	1.0	500.0	500.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology				750.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology in USD				750.0

4.7 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

Material costs for drying such as packaging appeared to be a major cost.

5. Natural and human environment

5.1 Climate

Annual rainfall

< 250 mm
251-500 mm
501-750 mm
751-1,000 mm
1,001-1,500 mm
1,501-2,000 mm
2,001-3,000 mm
3,001-4,000 mm
> 4,000 mm

Agro-climatic zone

semi-arid
arid

5.2 Topography

Slopes on average:

flat (0-2%)
gentle (3-5%)
moderate (6-10%)
rolling (11-15%)
hilly (16-30%)
steep (31-60%)
very steep (>60%)

Landforms:

plateau/plains
ridges
mountain slopes
hill slopes
footslopes
valley floors

Altitudinal zone:

0-100 m a.s.l.
101-500 m a.s.l.
501-1,000 m a.s.l.
1,001-1,500 m a.s.l.
1,501-2,000 m a.s.l.
2,001-2,500 m a.s.l.
2,501-3,000 m a.s.l.
3,001-4,000 m a.s.l.
> 4,000 m a.s.l.

Indicate if the Technology is specifically applied in:

not relevant

5.3 Soils

Soil depth on average:

very shallow (0-20 cm)
shallow (21-50 cm)
moderately deep (51-80 cm)
deep (81-120 cm)
very deep (> 120 cm)

Soil texture (topsoil):

medium (loamy, silty)

Soil texture (> 20 cm below surface):

medium (loamy, silty)

Topsoil organic matter:

low (<1%)

5.4 Water availability and quality

Ground water table:

5-50 m

Availability of surface water:

poor/ none

Water quality (untreated):

poor drinking water (treatment required)

Water quality refers to:

both ground and surface water

Is water salinity a problem?

Yes

Is flooding of the area occurring?

Comments and further specifications on water quality and quantity:

Because the SMD is mobile and processes the harvest, the natural situation is not that essential. However, ideally, it should be placed in warm and sunny areas.

5.5 Biodiversity

Species diversity:

Habitat diversity:

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

Sedentary or nomadic:

Sedentary
Semi-nomadic

Market orientation of production system:

mixed (subsistence/ commercial)

Off-farm income:

10-50% of all income

Relative level of wealth:

poor

Individuals or groups:

individual/ household
groups/ community

Level of mechanization:

manual work
mechanized/ motorized

Gender:

Age of land users:

youth
middle-aged
elderly

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

< 0.5 ha
0.5-1 ha
1-2 ha
2-5 ha
5-15 ha
15-50 ha
50-100 ha
100-500 ha
500-1,000 ha
1,000-10,000 ha
> 10,000 ha

Is this considered small-, medium- or large-scale (referring to local context)?

small-scale

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

Land ownership:

individual, not titled
individual, titled

Land use rights:

individual

Water use rights:

individual

Are land use rights based on a traditional legal system?

Yes

5.9 Access to services and infrastructure

health:

poor
moderate
good

education:

poor
moderate
good

technical assistance:

poor
moderate
good

employment (e.g. off-farm):

poor
moderate
good

markets:

poor
moderate
good

energy:

poor
moderate
good

roads and transport:

poor
moderate
good

drinking water and sanitation:

poor
moderate
good

financial services:

poor
moderate
good

6. Impacts and concluding statements

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Production

crop production

decreased

increased

Comments/ specify:

(Economic) Productivity increases because post-harvest losses decrease and selling prices increase

worsened

improved

Comments/ specify:

SMD is so designed that it can be easily shared, so that costs for individual smallholder farmers are relatively low.

6.2 Off-site impacts the Technology has shown

impact of greenhouse gases

increased

reduced

Comments/ specify:

The SMD only uses solar, so overall less greenhouse gasses are emitted, within the chain, compared to the current situation.

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

	Season	increase or decrease	How does the Technology cope with it?
annual temperature		increase	very well

6.4 Cost-benefit analysis

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

Short-term returns:

slightly positive

Long-term returns:

very positive

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

Short-term returns:

very positive

Long-term returns:

very positive

6.5 Adoption of the Technology

single cases/ experimental

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

0-10%

6.6 Adaptation

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

Yes

other (specify):

other inputs

Specify adaptation of the Technology (design, material/ species, etc.):

Experiments are done with other products such as vegetables, fruits, and spices.

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the land user’s view
Increased farm income

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
Improvement of the fruits’ quality
No contamination of dates by insects, birds, dust and rain
Energy and drying time saving
Waste and loss rate reduction
Air pollution and greenhouse gases reduction
Multiuse purposes (vegetables, medicinal and aromatic plants-MAPs, etc.)
Production of the SMD can result in (local) employment opportunities

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

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view	How can they be overcome?
Drying can be performed only during sunny days unless the system is integrated with a conventional energy-based system
Solar drying process is slow in comparison with dryers that use conventional fuels	The avoidance of costs to fuel may compensate this.
Solar drying requires larger land areas and longer drying times
Fluctuations in solar radiation and ambient temperature
Farmers lack of knowledge for the maintenance of the system	Capacity building programme or training when buying the SMD

7. References and links

Links and modules

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