FPDA, BAT partner in bulb onion solar dryer project

The National Business

THE Fresh Produce Development Agency (FPDA) and the British American Tobacco (BAT) are partnering for the bulb onion solar dryer project at Nipuka village in Daulo district, Eastern Highlands.
FPDA chief executive officer Mark Worinu said 50 solar dryers funded by BAT at a cost of K1 million would be built around the country – each solar dryer costs K20,000.
The project aims to build farmers’ capacity to produce quality onions.
Already 20 solar dryers have been built in Eastern Highlands, Chimbu, Jiwaka and Western Highlands.
“The next 30 will be built in other areas where onions can grow well. This solar smart technology presents a great opportunity for local onion farmers to be competitive in closing the domestic market gap,” Worinu said.
He said PNG relied heavily on imported onions to meet the demand.
“In 2022 and 2023, 7,000 tonnes of onions were imported at a value of K22 million.
“Local production stands at an average of 2,000 tonnes per year – valued at about K6 million. We have a gap of 5,000 tones which is equivalent to K16 million in import bill.”
Farmers admit that the solar dryers were:

  • REDUCING post-harvest loss during production, harvesting and storage;
  • IMPOVING quality by prolonging self-life, adding value to the product;
  • REDUCING significantly drying and curing time (three weeks curing time reduced to three days);
  • PROVIDING convenient and reliable storage facility, and;
  • HELPING farmers supply quality onions required by markets, earning premium prices.