Smart Dryer Innovation for Sustainable Post-Harvest Processing: Empowering Beneng Taro Farmers in East Kalimantan for Domestic and Export Markets

Post harvest losses remain a major challenge in tropical agriculture, particularly for smallholder farmers who depend on open-air sun drying. Such traditional methods expose crops to microbial contamination, uneven drying, and weather disruptions, undermining both product quality and marketability. This study introduces and evaluates a Solar Dryer Dome (SDD) designed specifically for drying Beneng taro (Colocasia gigantea) leaves in East Kalimantan, Indonesia. The SDD integrates solar photovoltaic panels with Internet of Things (IoT) sensors to maintain controlled temperature, humidity, and airflow, thereby ensuring a hygienic and energy-efficient drying process. A comparative field experiment was conducted to assess the SDD against conventional sun drying. Key metrics included drying time, microbial load, energy use, and farmer perceptions. Results show that the SDD reduced drying time by more than 50% and significantly lowered microbial contamination compared to open-air drying. The system operated entirely off-grid using a 660 Wp solar array, with battery support enabling continuous ventilation. Farmers reported improved product quality, higher price premiums, and reduced labor requirements. The study demonstrates that integrating renewable energy and IoT technologies into post-harvest systems can enhance resilience and income opportunities for rural communities. It contributes to the literature on sustainable agricultural innovation by validating a scalable, off-grid drying solution for tropical contexts..