Bennie Agro Participates in Solar/Gas Hybrid Dryer Training in Côte d’Ivoire

News in Brief:

-Bennie Agro participated in a Solar/Gas Hybrid Dryer fabrication training in Côte d’Ivoire to help reduce post-harvest losses and improve food preservation across Africa.

-The programme, delivered under the Healthy Diets for Africa Initiative, strengthens local manufacturing capacity and supports sustainable, climate-smart agro-processing.

Nigeria-based manufacturing company Bennie Agro has participated in a hands-on technical training programme in Côte d’Ivoire focused on the fabrication of Solar/Gas Hybrid Dryers for fruits and vegetables, as part of broader efforts to reduce post-harvest losses across Africa.

The specialised training equipped local fabricators with practical skills to design and build hybrid drying systems that combine solar energy with gas-powered support. The technology is designed to enhance food preservation, extend the shelf life of fruits and vegetables, and ensure year-round access to nutritious food products, particularly in regions with limited cold-chain infrastructure.

Healthy Diets for Africa Initiative Drives Regional Collaboration

The programme was delivered under the Healthy Diets for Africa Initiative, a continental effort sponsored by AfricaRice to promote sustainable food systems and healthier diets. It was implemented through the Africa Postharvest Development Centre (APDC), with Bennie Agro participating as a partner company and serving as a designated training hub.

According to the organisers, the Solar/Gas Hybrid Dryer technology provides a cost-effective and climate-smart solution for smallholder farmers and agro-processors. It enables them to minimise food waste, add value to fresh produce, and improve income opportunities. Training fabricators directly also supports local manufacturing and strengthens technical capacity within communities.

Bennie Agro said its participation aligns with its broader mission to deploy technology-driven solutions that strengthen Africa’s agro-processing value chains. The company reaffirmed its commitment to local capacity building, sustainable processing systems, and partnerships that empower farmers, fabricators, and food entrepreneurs across the continent.

APDC has been involved in several initiatives aimed at addressing unemployment and improving food security in Africa, including youth agripreneurship programmes, innovation hubs, capacity building, and skills development projects.