Uncovering socioeconomic insights of solar dryers for sustainable agricultural product preservation: A systematic review

Abstract

This review explores solar dryers' use for agricultural products, focusing on their socioeconomic benefits in the community. Despite significant technical advancements in solar dryers, there is a notable lack of documentation regarding their socioeconomic impacts on society. This gap impedes awareness of the potential benefits of solar dryers, contributing to their low adoption rates and, consequently, limiting their overall impact on society. A decade of published articles from Google Scholar, Scopus, Embase, and Taylor and Francis were synthesized through content analysis to gather evidence on the socioeconomic benefits of this technology. The review found technical advancements from passive to hybrid systems, highlighting their potential to enhance drying efficiency, product quality, and economic, social, and environmental benefits. The evidence of the socioeconomic benefits, in particular, indicates that solar dryers can increase farmers' annual profits by $15,683, reduce drying operation costs by $757.31, and save up to 5 days of drying time. Furthermore, the study found that solar dryers contribute to environmental conservation initiatives by mitigating the emission of up to 430,714.76 tons of CO2 in a year, minimizing overdependence on traditional energy sources, increasing energy accessibility, and optimizing drying space. However, the review identifies a need for further research to quantify solar dryers’ impact on postharvest management, waste reduction, and job creation in the agricultural drying value chain. It also recommends involving society in technology co-creation and suggests that policymakers and practitioners incentivize their adoption through financial and non-financial support.