So-lar, so good:
“Lifechanging” solar dryers support pepper and tomato farmers in northern Nigeria
– 28 April 2026 –
Pepper drying inside the parabolic solar dryer. Pics by Caleb Olanipekun (WorldVeg)
Trials of parabolic solar dryers in Kano State, northern Nigeria, suggest they can significantly boost incomes for smallholder pepper farmers, and help tomato farmers preserve produce they cannot sell fresh, according to recent work by Worldveg.
Pepper and tomato play a crucial role in food security, income generation and regional trade across West Africa, including Nigeria, Mali and Benin. But the crops are highly perishable, meaning they are commonly dried to extend shelf life. Traditional sun drying – often done on bare ground, raised platforms or rooftops – exposes produce to dust and other contaminants, and leaves the produce vulnerable to molds and unpredictable weather, limiting product quality.
Parabolic solar dryers improve both drying efficiency and hygiene. The dryers resemble curved greenhouses that use polythene instead of glass. They are designed to trap and concentrate heat from the sun to dry produce quickly and hygienically. Inside the dryers, solar powered fans allow heat and air circulation, reducing the risk of mold growth. A heat exchanger helps to further raise the temperature. Additionally, the use of racks ensures the produce is well spread out, further accelerating the drying process. The result is higher-quality dried products.
Side view of the parabolic solar dryer system. Pics by Caleb Olanipekun (WorldVeg)
A better way to dry peppers and tomatoes
Around 1,000 pepper farmers, aggregators and marketers participated in a randomized control trial led by WorldVeg, the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), and the Nigeria Stored Product Research Institute (NSPRI). Ten parabolic solar dryers were installed in Boda, Balan, Baba Ruga, Kiyawa, Bagwai, Liberiya, Dambatta, Dumbulum, Dan Isa, and Lajawa communities in Kano state, where peppers and surplus tomato are typically dried in the open air. Beneficiary groups used the dryers for two drying cycles, processing substantial volumes of fresh produce.
The results point to clear gains. Compared with traditional drying methods, which can take between eight and 14 days, the solar dryers reduced drying times to as little as four to five days, particularly in areas with intense sunlight. Farmers also reported improvements in product quality, including better colour, cleaner appearance and improved aroma – factors that matter in local markets where quality is often judged by appearance.
These improvements translated into higher prices. At one point during the trial, solar-dried pepper sold for 3,300 Naira (approx. USD2.45) per mudu (a traditional unit of measurement equating to roughly 1.5kg), compared with ₦2,500 for pepper dried using conventional methods – a premium of 32%. During the trial, fresh tomatoes – preferred by customers in local markets – were not in short supply, but researchers showed that drying could produce a high-quality option for when fresh supplies are limited.
(from left to right): Tomato and pepper drying outside; Solar dryer exterior; Drying outside. Pics by Caleb Olanipekun (WorldVeg)
Higher prices, faster drying for smallholder farmers
Farmers involved in the trial described the technology as “life changing”, pointing not only to higher incomes but also to greater control over their production. “Before, we depended entirely on the weather,” one participant said. “Now we can dry faster and sell at a better price.” Dried pepper is also an important raw material for food processing companies.
The intervention does not solve all the challenges facing pepper and tomato farmers in the region. Pest outbreaks – including white flies, thrips, anthracnose, and the leaf miner Tuta absoluta – continue to affect yields, while rising temperatures linked to climate change are adding further to production pressures. In addition, many commonly used pepper and tomato varieties are highly susceptible to diseases, there is low adoption of hybrid seeds due to cost and agronomic knowledge gaps, and the use of local seeds contributes to higher pesticide use and lower-quality produce.
But for now, in a sector where small improvements can make a significant difference, the results show that parabolic solar dryers could bring big benefits.
This work was part of the CGIAR Initiative on Rethinking Food Markets, and was undertaken with partners from International Food and Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), World Vegetable Center and Nigeria Stored Product Research Institute (NSPRI). It aligns with the WorldVeg Action Area on Food Safety & Loss Reduction/Economic Empowerment under the organization’s Global Strategy (2026-2033).
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