Problem:
Indonesia is among the world’s largest contributors to the food losses. According to the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 45 % of all fruits and vegetables are wasted in the hands of farmers. Reasons? There are number of reasons…
Resorts in Bintan island do not buy fruits and vegetables from the local growers, due to the difficulty in collecting and transporting small quantities of produce from different small farms. It is not easy to combine these small amounts of produce into a large enough quantity for an efficient domestic market. Sinar Cahaya Solusi Indonesia; a social enterprise trying to solve these problems.
Developing the Sinar business, two important points have been considered: efficient use of natural resources from one side and advantages of old traditions.
Efficient use of natural resources
We buy agricultural products which are produced by small local farmers and family growers. We buy on a regular basis and collect their produce from their gardens and homes. We are responsible for the transportation and we pay without delay.
We dry harvest products by using hygienic and efficient drying. What would otherwise be wasted, – we save.
Our final product is natural with no chemicals. What nature gives, – we use. Having better quality products provide us a possibility to get better prices.
Use of old traditions
Dehydrating is the world’s oldest form of food preservation and it yields great tasting food with months of shelf life.
How do we dry?
We use Solar Dryer Domes constructed by an Indonesian company, Impact Pratama
What are the solar dryer benefits?
- We reduce drying days
- We increase productivity with minimal wastage
- We incur zero or minimal running cost
- We deliver the products which are hygienic, high quality and have a longer lifespan
- We are investing in a better future for local communities
Benefits of dehydrating food
- Reduce waste – drying food preserves what usually would be wasted
- No preservatives or chemical additives – it requires just one ingredient – the food you’re drying
- Storing dehydrated food is efficient – less storage space, no ongoing electrical drain of a refrigerator or freezer
- Portability in transportation – dried food is compact, lightweight, and it travels well
- Dehydrated food tastes great