Two solar dryers have been sent to separate groups in the community. One to a self help group, which empowers women by providing employment opportunities. The dryer will provide them with further opportunities and if used effectively will allow them to make an income by selling dried produce.

Another dryer was sent to a farmhouse where a group 50 rice farmers gathered to share ideas and discuss a system of rice intensification. At this meeting, several of SELCO's products in development were demonstrated. Transporting the dryers over 40km required the hiring of an Omni van. A rice thresher, which was designed by a previous SELCO intern was straped precariously to the roof. The vehicle certainly wouldn't have passed its MOT in the UK and had several very bald looking tyres. Nevertheless, we mad it to our destination, dryer and thresher intact.

A batch of dried bananas was prepared in the dryer a day before the meeting to demonstrate the drying process and the quality of the dried produce. I stayed overnight on Tuesday in the nearby town of Karkala, to save the 2 hour short bus journey from Ujire to the farmhouse. I experienced a small amount of luxury by staying in a lodge which had hot water and BBC World Service on the TV. :)

Their was a lot of interest in all the products. They said they were interested in drying coconuts, and the flurry of hands rushing to try the dried bananas certainly showed that they liked the bananas, even if a couple of people commented that they were smoky.

Last weekend saw the Ganesh Chaturthi festival, and in every town we passed through, huge processions and groups of people filled the roads. (blocking them) In Ujire, there were fireworks and a party atmosphere. It was certainly a strange sight to see hundreds of people 'dancing' to Indian music in the street.