"Revolutionizing" Sepik Vanilla: Solar Dryers

• Revolutionise vanilla production in Sepik region, PNG: EU-STREIT Programme introducing solar dryers to reduce curing time and maintain bean quality, while providing capacity-building training for 1,000+ rural households.

The Food and Agriculture Organisation, working with the European Union through its EU-STREIT PNG Programme, is introducing solar dryers to the Sepik region of Papua New Guinea to revolutionise the vanilla production process. The dryers help promote eco-friendly drying while ensuring uniformity in bean quality for premium-grade vanilla sought by international markets. The technology also reduces curing time while maintaining bean size, aroma and colour across. Over 1,000 rural households in the Sepik region are set to benefit from this initiative. Capacity-building training in vanilla cultivation, husbandry and processing techniques, as well as essential tools and equipment are also being provided.

How Can Solar Dryers Revolutionise Vanilla Production in PNG?

• The introduction of solar dryers will provide economic opportunities for the rural households in the Sepik region, as it will allow them to produce a higher-grade vanilla that is sought after in international markets.
• The solar dryers will help reduce curing time while maintaining bean size, aroma and colour, making the vanilla production process more efficient and cost-effective.
• The solar dryers will also reduce the environmental impact of traditional vanilla production methods, as they do not require wood fuel, thus reducing the amount of deforestation for firewood.
• The solar dryers will provide a greater degree of control over the curing process and allow for a higher level of quality control, increasing the value of the vanilla produced in the Sepik region.
• The solar dryers will allow for improved traceability of the vanilla produced, as they provide a more reliable temperature record during the curing process. This will allow for the vanilla to be more easily traced back to its source and will help to ensure that the vanilla produced in the Sepik region is of a high quality.