Techno-Economic Analysis of BAU-STR Dryer for Rice Drying: An Approach to Accelerate Adoption

Md. Hamidul Islam, Abdul Momin, Chayan Kumer Saha, Md. Monjurul Alam and Shahidul Islam ()
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Md. Hamidul Islam: Department of Agriculture/Agricultural Regulations, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, Pine Bluff, AR 71601, USA
Abdul Momin: Agricultural Engineering Technology, School of Agriculture, Tennessee Tech University, Cooksville, TN 38505, USA
Chayan Kumer Saha: Department of Farm Power and Machinery, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh 2202, Bangladesh
Md. Monjurul Alam: Department of Farm Power and Machinery, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh 2202, Bangladesh
Shahidul Islam: Department of Agriculture/Agricultural Regulations, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, Pine Bluff, AR 71601, USA

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 22, 1-16

Abstract: Postharvest food loss and waste offset worldwide agricultural productivity and food security. Insufficient drying and storage are the prominent drivers of food loss and waste in underdeveloped countries. Mechanical grain drying systems have distinct benefits over sun drying but are inaccessible to underserved communities due to high capital costs and energy demand. This study evaluated the techno-economic and financial performance of a half-ton-capacity BAU-STR dryer. The moisture extraction rate, drying rate, drying efficiency, and energy consumption were used as technical performance indicators. In contrast, the net present value (NPV), internal rate of return (IRR), benefit–cost ratio (BCR), and payback period were considered economic performance indicators. The technical performance analysis results revealed that the moisture content of rice was reduced from 19.5% to 13.5 ± 0.15% in 4.0 h with an average drying rate of 1.5%/h and a drying efficiency of 75.1%. The financial performance analysis resulted in a drying cost, NPV, IRR, BCR, and PBP of USD 0.96 per 100 kg of grain, USD 3018, 135%, 3.0, and 0.73 yr., respectively, when the annual use was 240 h. If the yearly use of the dryer increased from 240 to 720 h, a higher NPV, IRR, and BCR, as well as a lower payback period and drying cost, could be achieved. Adopting a BAU-STR dryer for drying grain (rice and corn) among underserved communities could play a key role in postharvest food loss and waste.

Keywords: BAU-STR grain dryer; rice drying; corn drying; technical performance; economic performance; business model; food loss and waste management (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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