The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in collaboration with The International Center for Agricultural Research in Dry Area (ICARDA) under the regional project “Water Efficiency, Productivity and Sustainability in the NENA region” by enhancing water use efficiency and productivity in dryland agriculture, through activities that involved the establishment of energy-efficient food drying units (sun-drying units) and related capacity-building programs for selected households aimed at enhancing productivity and food quality/value for local consumption and potential income generation- adapted to more rehabilitated and sustainably managed agro-silvo-pastoral environments.

Sun-drying is traditionally used in different parts of the world to dry various fruits like grapes, figs, and concentrated jams. ICARDA developed and tested innovations where solar power is utilized, such as drying food of plant origin through innovative solar cooling. A food drying training was conducted on 23 June 2022 for nine women on vegetable and herb drying. A follow-up and backstopping were provided to the trainees to overcome problems and answer immerging questions using learning-by-doing approach. The cooperative is now producing dried products such as tomatoes, okra, thyme, rosemary, and other herbs and vegetables.