7. Optimal Dryer Capacity & Affordable Capital Cost of Drying Systems
A detailed analysis of various categories of holding reveal that the dryer capacity required, and affordable capital costs of dryers, for each category of holdings are as under:
| Category of Holding | Av. Yield in Kg./Holding per Crop | Optimum Dryer Capacity Reqd. Kg./Day | Affordable capital Cost of Dryer in Rs. |
| Marginal | 223 | 30-50 | 125 |
| Small | 840 | 50-10 | 400 |
| Semi-Medium | 1662 | 100-200 | 600 |
| Medium | 3490 | 300-400 | 1400 |
| Large | 10,105 | 500-1000 | 7580 |
8. Spatial Distribution of Cereal Procurement & Probability of Precipitation During Harvesting
An analysis of spatial distribution of cereal procurement and probability of adverse weather conditions shows that the majority of rice and wheat is procured from areas which have very low probability of adverse weather conditions. Only the areas from where Jowar is procured have a higher probability of adverse weather conditions. However, since the quantity o jowar procure is very small, requirement for dryers by procurement agencies for drying of freshly harvested cereals is negligible. As on date, no procurement agency is drying any freshly harvested grains using driers. Although Food Corporation of India has installed around sixty driers to dry freshly harvested cereals, they have rarely been used for the purpose.
9. Published Options
Realizing the importance of drying freshly harvested cereals, extensive development work was initiated in India and abroad. This resulted in establishment of:
- 120 nos. of small scale solar dryers;
- 80 nos. of community/ commercial solar dryers; and
- 10 nos. of agricultural waste, furnace/dryer
Around the world, the results of which were published, in around 40 countries. The contribution of India in this regard has been significant. The number od dryers established in the country are:
- 26 nos. of small scale solar dryers;
- 12 nos. of community/commercial scale solar dryers;
- 8 nos. of agricultural waste furnaces/ dryers.
