GIZ/EnDev (Energizing Development) works towards sustainable access to modern energy services (solar energy and improved cooking stoves). In the cocoa sector, GIZ/EnDev collaborates with local cooperatives, NGOs and the private sector to promote solar dryers, solar lamps and supporting mobile data collection and certification efforts.
In Lofa County, EnDev has introduced the practical "table model" dryer and supported the construction of more than 270 of such cocoa dryers since 2013. Using solar dryers increases the quality of the cocoa and protects from loss or damage that can be caused by animals, rainfall or dirt. Damaged dryers were repaired. In December 2015, over 120 farmers in Lofa were trained on how to maintain and repair the dryers and set up a maintenance system.
In Nimba County, in collaboration with Africa Venture Liberia (AVL) and the farmers’ cooperatives, people were trained to build the table model. EnDev provided greenhouse plastic and nails to build 20 dryers. EnDev also contributed towards cocoa farmer certification efforts in Nimba. EnDev has expertise in mobile data collection, registering all dryers with app on a map.
Drying cocoa on the ground leads to loss and damage Solar Dryers reduce such losses and increase cocoa quality