Initiation of Production of Czech Innovative Solar Dryers in Cambodia

PROJECT INFORMATION

Project Implementer: Mendel University in Brno

Donor: Czech UNDP Challenge Fund

Implementation period: 2020-2021

BASELINE STATE

Cambodia is one of the poorest and least developed countries in Southeast Asia. In terms of human development indicators, it shows characteristics of lower middle-income countries. The majority of the population lives in rural areas and lives on agriculture. The current problem for Cambodian farmers is the huge post-harvest losses due to the short and intense mango growing season. Producers sell the fruit at a low price or leave it to rot. Cambodian mango growers often face overproduction with limited demand at unfavourably low prices. This also causes huge post-harvest losses or large quantities of unharvested fruit.

PROJECT AIM AND DEVELOPMENT ASPECTS

The objective of the proposed project was to promote technical education, employment and export by introducing the production of solar dryers and their use for fruit conservation in Cambodia. The project aimed at contribution to sustainable farming by expanding economic opportunities in rural Cambodian communities via transfer of Czech technical know-how related to the conservation of tropical fruit (mainly mango) using solar energy.

ROLE OF HOLISTIC SOLUTIONS S.R.O. IN THE PROJECT

HS developed a technical design for solar dryers for fruit drying adapted to Cambodian conditions so that they could be produced by Cambodian carpenters. Subsequently, the HS team supervised the physical production of the dryers on site.

The company was involved in analyzing the supply and demand for dried mangoes to identify opportunities for Cambodian farmers in the local and European markets.

Also, the HS team presented to local mango producers opportunities to sell the dried products in the local and European market with emphasis on the aesthetics of the whole product and its quality based on the required legislation.