TRAINING REPORT ON SOLAR DRYNG TECHNIQUES AND PRODUCT RESERVATION

Two solar driers were recently brought for the women’s group of Sifoe and Somita village under the auspices of the Gambia women’s initiative project. In this regard, a training workshop was held to train the women on fruit and vegetable drying techniques, packaging, sanitation and equipment operation and maintenance.

The training was conducted for the women of Sifoe and that of Somita was conducted from 23rd to 25th march 2010.

The training objectives include the following:

• To introduce the participants to proper preservation techniques under proper hygienic condition
• To kick start skills and enterprise development attitude into the groups
• To mobilize the group to participated effectively in their own development.
• To promote the consumption of dry the products (mango chips and other dried vegetables) at community level.
• To discuss producer / buyer linkages.

TRAINING METHODOLOGY

The trainer demonstrated the techniques involved in the process of drying which included the following.

• Fruit and vegetable quality selection procedures
• Peeling method
• Slicing techniques
• Drying layout
• Packing and labeling
• Storage methods
• Equipment operation and maintenance
• Personal and product hygienic

The participants thereafter were each given the change to perform all the operations during which an evaluation exercise was conducted to assess their understanding. Time was also allocated for questions and answers

ISSUES RAISED

Some of the issues raised at both training sites in Sifoe and Somita include:

• Establishment of product buyer linkage
• The capacity of the drier is not enough to serve the group especially during peak mango season.

In the light of the above mentioned issue, recommendations were advanced to that affect which in include the following.

• With regard to producer buyer linkages, the group and the private consultant shall begin fetching for potential regular buyers in this regard
• The small capacity of the drier the group is urged to maximizing use the drier for this season production to the justifying the new for extra driers.