Solar Harvest Food Ventures: ADB Technology Innovations Challenge Clean Energy Solution to Enhance Post-Harvest Processing
At SAVIRU, we are proud to design dehydration solutions that go beyond borders—and our latest overseas project, Solar Harvest Food Ventures – FSM Pingelap, is a prime example of this commitment. Through this initiative, we bring an innovative technology mix, powered by solar energy, to dehydrate and add value to a number of local crops and fish in the remote island of Pingelap, offering a sustainable and practical solution to local food preservation challenges.
The Challenge: A Remote Island's Dilemma
Pingelap is a small Pacific island with minimal access to electricity, high dependency on imported goods, and significant issues with food spoilage due to its humid, tropical climate. Traditional drying and processing methods—especially open sun drying—have proven inefficient and unhygienic under these conditions. Recognizing this, our team at Saviru stepped in with a tailor-made solution: a mix of solar drying and heat pump drying engineered specifically for off-grid, coastal island environments.
Our Solution: Renewable Energy-Powered Dehydration
Using our own innovative designs and expertise in renewable energy-powered dehydration systems, we developed a food processing facility that operates independently of the power grid. We understand that innovation must be grounded in context. In Pingelap, where technical support and infrastructure are limited, our dryers were designed to be easy to assemble, operate, and maintain. The modular build and robust materials ensure longevity, while our training sessions will equip local users with the knowledge to manage the system independently. This approach ensures not just installation—but long-term, community-led sustainability.
This project is more than a technological achievement—it is a story of empowerment, collaboration, and sustainable progress.
Impact and Empowerment
Beyond its technical success, the project will deliver meaningful social and economic impact. By enabling the preservation of breadfruit, bananas, taro, and other local produce, the dehydration solutions reduce food waste and open up new income streams for smallholder farmers—especially women and youth. In doing so, the system strengthens food security and builds local resilience in a region vulnerable to climate and supply chain disruptions.
The Pingelap project also reflects our core values: locally-bred innovation, renewable energy use, and inclusive development. We are proud to see our Sri Lankan technology making a difference in communities like Pingelap, where appropriate technology can be truly transformative. As we continue to expand our impact, we remain committed to energy-efficient drying solutions that work with communities, not just for them.