Conservation by appropriate technology is the key to successful enterprise. Whereas in the European Community approximately five percent of agricultural produce become spoiled, the amount in the tropics and subtropics rises up to 70 percent. The lack of storage facilities and little developed infrastructure hamper small producers from market entry. Seasonal surplus due to harvest can not be traded and on the regional markets the prices persist at low level. As an alternative the processing of

dried products of high quality present itself. Harvest turns into storable and tradable goods for a long term. Expenditure on transportation decreases whereas benefit from additional processing remains at the producer. Stored goods are a regular source of income and diminish the dependance on seasonal harvest. Hygenic processing is the prerequisite for the production of high quality products. Even family enterprises get the chance to access the market.

Traditional floor drying is arduos and results in poor quality