The Bihar government is planning to expand the use of solar energy in agriculture by introducing solar-powered crop dryers for farmers, self-help groups (SHGs), farmer-producer organisations (FPOs) and agricultural clusters.
The Bihar Horticulture Development Society (BHDS) has invited bids from manufacturers and authorised agencies for the supply, installation and maintenance of solar drying systems across the state.
The initiative is aimed at improving post-harvest management while encouraging the use of clean energy in agricultural processing.
Solar Dryers to Be Available in Different Capacities
The proposed systems will be available in capacities ranging from 20 kg to 1,000 kg, depending on the requirements of farmers and agricultural groups.
The tender covers:
- 20/25 kg: Individual farmers and small growers
- 50 kg: SHGs, nurseries and progressive farmers
- 100 kg: SHGs, FPOs and village enterprises
- 250–500 kg: Farmer clusters and larger processing centres
- 1,000 kg: Special cluster and institutional projects
The dryers can be used for a wide range of agricultural produce, including fruits, vegetables, spices, flowers, grains, and medicinal and aromatic plants.
Focus on Better Post-Harvest Management
The initiative seeks to use solar energy for controlled drying of agricultural produce, potentially helping farmers and producer groups improve the handling and preservation of their products after harvest.
The systems will include components such as drying chambers or tunnels, trays, racks, fans, sensors and controllers. Solar photovoltaic modules and batteries will also be provided where applicable.
Selected suppliers will be responsible for installation and maintenance and will also have to provide operating manuals covering different crops.
Technical Standards for Solar Dryers
BHDS has specified technical requirements for the systems to ensure consistent performance.
For dryers with a capacity of 50 kg and above, forced-air circulation will be mandatory. Systems with capacities of 100 kg and above will also have to include temperature and humidity displays along with data-logging facilities.
The quality of supplied systems will be assessed through:
- Pre-dispatch inspection
- Field acceptance testing
- Performance monitoring
- Random inspections of supplied units
Five-Year Warranty Required
The selected suppliers will be required to provide a minimum five-year comprehensive warranty for the solar drying systems.
The supporting structures will need to meet a seven-year durability requirement. Agencies selected under the tender will also be responsible for preventive and corrective maintenance during the warranty period.
Experience Criteria for Suppliers
The tender requires participating agencies to have at least three years of relevant experience.
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Bidders must also have completed at least 25 installations during the previous five financial years, ensuring that selected suppliers have practical experience in deploying similar systems.
Solar Energy to Support Bihar’s Agriculture
The proposed solar dryer programme is expected to strengthen post-harvest management while reducing reliance on conventional sources of energy for agricultural processing.
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By bringing solar-powered technology closer to farmers, SHGs, FPOs and agricultural clusters, Bihar is looking to promote cleaner energy use while improving the handling and processing of farm produce across the state.