More people will soon be using the power of the sun to dry their food.This follows a workshop on 24-25 November by the Food and Agriculture Organisation at their office in Apia.The sessions by Bruce Russell and Dirk Schulz from FAO covered the mechanics of solar drying; types of dryers, design, operation and food safety.The participants built a ‘mini’ dryer as a practical exercise and also visited four solar dryers being used in Apia.

Solar dryers can improve the results and reduce the time needed for products which are sun dried.  There is also better quality control as the products are covered and in a controlled environment. Different models can be built to suit a family, village or other enterprise.

Contact: (Dirk Schulz, [email protected] , FAOSAP)