The Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute (NSPRI) has received global recognition for its parabolic-shaped solar dryer, which won an award under the Agribusiness and Market Systems category of the International Society for the Systems Sciences in Agriculture (ISSCA).
The recognition was announced during the 2026 Dryland Congress, where the innovation was recognised for its contribution to post-harvest management and agricultural value-chain development. The award was received by Dr Victor Afari-Sefa of the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT).
The NSPRI-developed technology is designed to provide a cost-effective and sustainable alternative to roadside and open-sun drying of agricultural produce. The institute says the dryer can also be deployed as a community drying centre, offering farmers and processors a cleaner and more controlled drying environment.
The technology protects produce from dust, rain, insects and other sources of contamination while using solar energy to remove moisture from high-moisture agricultural products. NSPRI identifies the system as part of its efforts to reduce post-harvest losses and improve the quality and availability of agricultural produce.
Research published on the dryer has also found that it can improve drying performance compared with traditional open-sun drying. In a study involving tomatoes, the parabolic dryer reached a maximum temperature of 68.2°C and recorded a drying rate of 5.2kg per day, compared with 1.3kg per day under open-sun drying.
The international recognition places NSPRI’s innovation among technologies being highlighted for practical solutions to post-harvest losses, food quality and resilient agricultural systems.
