Researchers from Embrapa Food Technology, from Uganda's National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO) and local family farmers have just validated a new system to dry and store maize ears. The equipment increases air flow in the silos, as it accelerates the drying of maize ears by aggregating zinc plates that are laid in a way to promote the “Venturi” effect of fluid pressure. Funded by the MKT Place, the technology increases the efficiency of the drying system in 60% in a 50% shorter period of time. This entails gains in food security by reducing food contamination by insects and fungi, increasing shelf life and reducing post-harvest losses. Such results were obtained from tests conducted for over a year in three prototypes of different sizes (1.5m, 2.5m and 3m) installed at Uganda's institute of agricultural research (NARO) and in six demonstration units in family farmer properties in the mountain region of Karpchowa, using a control model recommended by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO/UN). Developed by Brazilian and Ugandan scientists, this new silo with improved air flow was demonstrated on a Field Day held on April 27 in the district of Kapchorwa, in Uganda. The event counted on the participation of approximately 20 smallholders, researchers, technicians and local authorities (see photo on the side). The country's main television broadcaster, UBC - Uganda Broadcasting Corporation, was also present and produced an extensive local news report (click here to access it). Specialists affirm that in Uganda, malnutrition and food insecurity are associated with the fact that the majority of the population depend on subsistence agriculture, based on the production of maize, cassava and banana. The results obtained by the researchers indicate that the use of this drying system can significantly reduce damages and increase the shelf life of the country's main agricultural crops, contributing to food security and increased family farmer income. “This is a project of major practical applications, as it makes an easy-to-use system available for farmers and generates major socioeconomic impact”, reports Murillo Freire, a researcher from Embrapa Food Technology and one of the leaders of the project. After the maize harvest, which occurs once a year, the equipment also proved to be suited to dry grass for animal feed and other products. “We now want to expand the project to other regions of Uganda such as Mubende and Masindi, and even neighboring countries like Rwanda and Tanzania”, concludes the Embrapa researcher, who has already been working on a new version of the project jointly with engineer Cedric Mutyaba, from the National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO). The project for the maize drying system integrated the portfolio of technologies aimed at smallholders and at poverty reduction at the Agricultural Innovation MKT Place. It is an international initiative supported by several partners with the aim of connecting Brazilian, African, Latin American, and Caribbean specialists and institutions to jointly develop research projects for development. Translation: Mariana Medeiros