Where is the market? Assessing the role of dryer performance and marketability of solar-dried products in acceptance of solar dryers amongst smallholder farmers
Agricultural technological development is a crucial strategy for agricultural commercialization and socio-economic transformation in Africa. However, a key challenge to technology use in agriculture remains the limited farmer acceptance of unfamiliar technologies. This paper uses a sample of 245 okr...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2023-08-01
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| Series: | Heliyon |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844023058760 |
| _version_ | 1797732990656184320 |
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| author | Peter G. Korsuk Kumi Samuel Elolu Walter Odongo Collins Okello Stephen W. Kalule |
| author_facet | Peter G. Korsuk Kumi Samuel Elolu Walter Odongo Collins Okello Stephen W. Kalule |
| author_sort | Peter G. Korsuk Kumi |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Agricultural technological development is a crucial strategy for agricultural commercialization and socio-economic transformation in Africa. However, a key challenge to technology use in agriculture remains the limited farmer acceptance of unfamiliar technologies. This paper uses a sample of 245 okra farmers drawn from northern Uganda to assess the drivers of the farmer acceptance of solar drying technology. On the basis of drying performance, farmers perceive the solar dryer to perform better than the open sun-drying method. Structural equation modelling results show that the drying rate and perceived product quality are the main determinants of farmer perceptions on product marketability. Further, product marketability drives acceptance of solar dryers among farmers. We conclude that acceptance of solar dryers is dependent on: i) the drying rate, ii) favorable perceptions towards product quality, and iii) perceived marketability of the solar-dried product. We call for policy action on intensification of efforts that promote solar drying technology, including supporting local artisans to fabricate dryers, to enable increased value addition and consumption of nutritious foods. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-12T12:21:34Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-4c11759d231e4e3ba8c8b597f29b52b8 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2405-8440 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-12T12:21:34Z |
| publishDate | 2023-08-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Heliyon |
| spelling | doaj.art-4c11759d231e4e3ba8c8b597f29b52b82023-08-30T05:52:09ZengElsevierHeliyon2405-84402023-08-0198e18668Where is the market? Assessing the role of dryer performance and marketability of solar-dried products in acceptance of solar dryers amongst smallholder farmersPeter G. Korsuk Kumi0Samuel Elolu1Walter Odongo2Collins Okello3Stephen W. Kalule4Department of Rural Development and Agribusiness, Faculty of Agriculture and Environment, Gulu University, P.O. Box 166, Gulu, Uganda; Department of Agricultural Sciences, School of Natural Resources and Environmental Studies, University of Juba, P.O. Box 82, Juba, SudanDepartment of Food Science and Postharvest Technology, Faculty of Agriculture and Environment, Gulu University, P.O. Box 166, Gulu, UgandaDepartment of Rural Development and Agribusiness, Faculty of Agriculture and Environment, Gulu University, P.O. Box 166, Gulu, UgandaDepartment of Biosystems Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture and Environment, Gulu University, P.O. Box 166, Gulu, UgandaDepartment of Rural Development and Agribusiness, Faculty of Agriculture and Environment, Gulu University, P.O. Box 166, Gulu, Uganda; Corresponding author.Agricultural technological development is a crucial strategy for agricultural commercialization and socio-economic transformation in Africa. However, a key challenge to technology use in agriculture remains the limited farmer acceptance of unfamiliar technologies. This paper uses a sample of 245 okra farmers drawn from northern Uganda to assess the drivers of the farmer acceptance of solar drying technology. On the basis of drying performance, farmers perceive the solar dryer to perform better than the open sun-drying method. Structural equation modelling results show that the drying rate and perceived product quality are the main determinants of farmer perceptions on product marketability. Further, product marketability drives acceptance of solar dryers among farmers. We conclude that acceptance of solar dryers is dependent on: i) the drying rate, ii) favorable perceptions towards product quality, and iii) perceived marketability of the solar-dried product. We call for policy action on intensification of efforts that promote solar drying technology, including supporting local artisans to fabricate dryers, to enable increased value addition and consumption of nutritious foods.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844023058760Technology developmentSolar dryerRenewable energyPerformanceTechnology acceptanceValue addition |
| spellingShingle | Peter G. Korsuk Kumi Samuel Elolu Walter Odongo Collins Okello Stephen W. Kalule Where is the market? Assessing the role of dryer performance and marketability of solar-dried products in acceptance of solar dryers amongst smallholder farmers Heliyon Technology development Solar dryer Renewable energy Performance Technology acceptance Value addition |
| title | Where is the market? Assessing the role of dryer performance and marketability of solar-dried products in acceptance of solar dryers amongst smallholder farmers |
| title_full | Where is the market? Assessing the role of dryer performance and marketability of solar-dried products in acceptance of solar dryers amongst smallholder farmers |
| title_fullStr | Where is the market? Assessing the role of dryer performance and marketability of solar-dried products in acceptance of solar dryers amongst smallholder farmers |
| title_full_unstemmed | Where is the market? Assessing the role of dryer performance and marketability of solar-dried products in acceptance of solar dryers amongst smallholder farmers |
| title_short | Where is the market? Assessing the role of dryer performance and marketability of solar-dried products in acceptance of solar dryers amongst smallholder farmers |
| title_sort | where is the market assessing the role of dryer performance and marketability of solar dried products in acceptance of solar dryers amongst smallholder farmers |
| topic | Technology development Solar dryer Renewable energy Performance Technology acceptance Value addition |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844023058760 |
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