Innovation in Action: Women in Mazowe Learn Value Addition and Solar Drying Techniques
All wealth comes from adding value, from producing more, better, cheaper, faster, and easier than someone else.
Value Addition: A Pathway to Economic Empowerment
By adding value to what they grow, women gain more control over their time, income, and market presence, strengthening their roles not only in households but in the local economy.
On 23 June, the energy in Mazowe was vibrant and filled with possibility as Sprout Women Empowerment Trust (SWET) facilitated a dynamic, hands-on training session with local women focused on fruit and vegetable value addition with an exciting twist in innovation.
In a collaborative learning space, participants explored practical ways to reduce post-harvest losses and increase income through food preservation techniques. A highlight of the day was the introduction of a low-cost, mobile solar dryer a game-changer for small-scale producers in rural and peri-urban areas.
A Solar Solution with Big Impact
This solar dryer is lightweight, efficient, and does not expose food directly to harsh sunlight — ensuring that nutritional value, color, and flavor are retained. What makes it even more exciting is its portability: women can carry the dryer with them to local markets, allowing them to dry produce on the go while selling fresh goods.
This dual function enhances income generation and reduces waste, especially during peak harvest seasons when prices fall due to oversupply.
“Now we can preserve excess tomatoes and mangoes instead of watching them rot,” shared one participant. “This is real empowerment!”
Value Addition: A Pathway to Economic Empowerment
In addition to solar drying, women also learned:
- Techniques for drying fruits and vegetables hygienically
- Simple preservation recipes and packaging tips
- Market insights and pricing strategies for dried products
By adding value to what they grow, women gain more control over their time, income, and market presence, strengthening their roles not only in households but in the local economy.
Gratitude for Collective Support
This training was made possible with the ongoing support of our committed partners, including:
🟣 IM Swedish Development Partner Southern Africa
Together, we continue to equip women with the tools, knowledge, and confidence to transform challenges into opportunities.
What’s Next?
We aim to replicate this model in other communities and explore partnerships for the wider distribution of mobile solar dryers. Women are already brainstorming collective ways to scale their production and branding, showing once again that when women lead, innovation follows.
#EmpoweredWomen #Innovation #FoodSecurity #SolarDrying #ValueAddition #SWETVoices #ClimateSmartSolutions #WomenInAgribusiness
#TransformingCommunities #SproutWomenEmpowermentTrust
