Uganda’s coffee industry has battled post-harvest losses for years, but solar-powered coffee drying in Uganda is now offering hope. Ekoom Stephen, founder of The Farmers Guide Uganda, is leading a transformation with his innovative solar-powered drying technology.
According to a Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) study, post-harvest losses account for up to 60 percent of coffee produce. Consequently, Ekoom’s innovation focuses on reducing these losses and improving farmer incomes.
Growing up in Mbale District, Ekoom, originally from Kapopong village in Kolir Sub-county, Bukedea District, witnessed the devastating impact of traditional drying methods. Farmers, using bare ground to dry beans, often faced contamination from bird droppings, stones, and moisture. As a result, they lost large portions of their harvests.
With degrees in Community Development and Science in Agriculture, Ekoom combined academic knowledge with local experience. “I saw the potential for improvement and decided to act,” he explained. “My background in Community Development helped me understand the social impact, while Science in Agriculture enabled me to develop practical solutions.”
After thorough research, Ekoom, who calls himself a “solution entrepreneur,” developed an enclosed solar-powered drying system. These dryers use solar energy and 200-micron UV polythene sheets to generate heat. As a result, the drying process becomes faster while protecting the coffee from external contaminants.
How the Solar Dryer Works
Solar dryers use UV polythene sheets to capture the sun’s energy, removing moisture from crops. Moreover, they shield the produce from dust, pathogens, and bird droppings. This method applies not only to coffee but also to fruits, vegetables, tubers, spices, maize, and other crops. Properly dried produce lasts longer and fetches better market prices.
“This technology is also essential in addressing the aflatoxin crisis in maize and other crops,” Ekoom added.
Farmers’ Success Stories
Farmers like Mary Nakku from Mbale have already seen improvements. “Ekoom’s solar dryers save our yields and increased our earnings,” she said. “Before, I harvested 20 bags but sold only 9 because of losses. Now, we retain almost everything and can afford to send our children to school.”
Similarly, Mike Cherop of the Aps Foundation in Kapchorwa District shared that solar dryers have improved their coffee quality by about 75 percent compared to previous years.
Through The Farmers Guide Uganda Limited, along with partners like Sawa World and the Ujaana Coffee Project, Ekoom has supplied over 250 solar dryers across Uganda. Moreover, he ensures the dryers remain affordable by selling them at subsidized prices.
The Cost of Solar Dryers
- A 2-tonne capacity solar dryer costs about Shs25 million.
- A portable wooden solar dryer with a 50kg capacity costs about Shs500,000.
According to Ekoom, The Farmers Guide Uganda has already:
- Trained over 5,000 farmers on modern post-harvest handling techniques.
- Installed 500 solar dryers countrywide.
- Increased farmers’ incomes by 30 percent.
Meanwhile, Uganda’s coffee exports continue to rise. Between March 2024 and February 2025, Uganda exported 6.57 million bags, earning $1.7 billion (about Shs6.287 trillion). This marked a 6.99 percent increase in quantity and a 70.71 percent rise in value compared to the previous year.
A Vision for Broader Adoption
Looking ahead, Ekoom believes solar-powered coffee drying in Uganda could expand to other crops like potatoes and cassava. Farmers could move away from unhygienic roadside drying practices and embrace solar technology to improve food safety and market value.
“Solar drying, which is a good post-harvest handling method, can also help us address the aflatoxin crisis in maize,” Ekoom said. Notably, he contested the Bukedea County Parliamentary seat under the National Unity Platform (NUP) in 2021, though he did not win.
Nevertheless, through determination and innovation, Ekoom Stephen is proving that sustainable agricultural practices can dramatically improve farmers’ lives — one solar dryer at a time.
