JALUKBARI, Dec 5 - To boost the agro and food processing sector in the north-eastern region, the Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship (IIE) here in association with Don Bosco University, Azara, organised a �launching programme� today to introduce a �low cost� innovative solar dryer.
The dryer uses direct solar heat to dry fruits or vegetables and cuts the cost of electricity consumption for drying. The unique dryer also comes with a coat of waterproof antimicrobial nano-material which prevents fruits and vegetables inside the dryer from being contaminated by the growth of micro organisms.
The dryer is capable of generating a stabilised temperature up to 70�C which is sufficient to dry normal fruits and vegetables. It has been designed by the Centre of Excellence in Nanotechnology at the Don Bosco University (DBU) and is being jointly developed by IIE and DBU.
The launching event held on the IIE campus at Lalmati, was inaugurated by Dr Sunandan Baruah, Director of Centre of Excellence in Nanotechnology, DBU in presence of IIE Director Manoj Kr Das and Prof Atul Buragohain, AAU, Khanapara.
IIE Director Das in his address said that dried fruits like banana, jackfruit, pineapple and star fruit have a huge potential in the domestic and export markets.
SM Deka, assistant faculty member of IIE said that such innovative ideas with regard to upgradation of technology in the food processing sector would help the forest fringe village community as well as promote rural entrepreneurship in the State.
