Source: Hueiyen News Service / Amukhomba Ngangbam
Imphal, December 24 2010:
Innovative Dryer Machine, which consumes less power and can dry vegetables, fruits and meat products in just a few hours has been developed in the state recently.
Food processing industries have received a boon with the introduction of the new dryer machine.
Imported dryer machines now in use run on three phases of electric power and consume about 9000 to 11000 watts.
They also cost ' 1.5 lakhs per piece.
The new dryer machine runs on single phase electric supply of 115 volts consuming just only 5000 watts.
Moreover the machine costs only about ' 60,000 .
The Innovative Dryer Machine was developed by Manoharmayum Manihar of Nongmeibung Pung Makhong.
He had been honoured with a national award for his development of Automatic Pump Operator (APO) in the 5th National Grassroot Technological Innovations and Traditional Knowledge by the National Innovations under the aegis of Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India.
The Innovative Dryer Machine is an efficient mechanism to preserve fruits, vegetables and meat products by dehydration method.
Heating rods and air blowers blow hot air to the drying chamber.
An air guide is attached to every drying tray in the drying chamber to supply uniform heat to the products which are to be dried.
A fan in the upper corner of the machine blows out water vapour.
Manihar said that the machine retains the natural taste and colour of the fruits or vegetables and it does not burn the products unlike the standard imported machines which sometimes burn products during the drying process.
Manihar said he conceived of the idea of developing his machine keeping in view of the poor power supply and the weak economic conditions in the state.
He said he received a grant from the NIF, New Delhi to aid his work.
He is not thinking of selling the machine in the market.
However, he will manufacture the machine if people engaged in the Food Processing Industries demands.