Our journey · Past project (2022–2023)
A CSR-funded solar dehydration initiative that gave rural women in Jammu & Kashmir and Telangana a dignified, zero-energy-cost livelihood — while rescuing tonnes of fruit and vegetables that would otherwise have gone to waste.
The problem we set out to solve
Across rural India, large quantities of fruit, vegetables and herbs perish every season for want of basic preserving, processing and marketing infrastructure — rotting in fields, in transit, or in unsold market stock. As that food waste decomposes, it releases methane, a greenhouse gas nearly 23 times more potent than CO₂.
Project Ravi Kiran was Gramonnati Trust's answer, built around a simple, elegant technology: solar dehydration. On an average day, sunlight delivers roughly 1,367 watts of heat energy per square metre. By drawing warm, dry air across the surface of fruits and vegetables, a solar dryer removes 80–90% of their moisture at an ambient 55–65°C — with zero electricity, zero fuel and zero emissions.
The result: nutritious, shelf-stable dried produce — and a sustainable livelihood for the rural women who run the drying units.
Where we worked
Backed by CSR funding from NIIF through its implementation partner Athaang, the Trust signed its MoU on 3 August 2022 and set up solar drying facilities at two very different ends of the country.
Village Mandipora, Tehsil Dooru, District Anantnag — 4 km from the Banihal Tunnel
District Nizamabad, Telangana
How it works
Every site ran the same end-to-end value chain — designed so that local women, once trained, could operate and maintain the equipment themselves.
Unsold or surplus fruits, vegetables and herbs purchased directly from local farmers and FPOs.
Washing, sorting, pulping and slicing — done by trained local women.
One to two days in solar dryers at 55–65°C, removing 80–90% of moisture, down to roughly 28% of original weight.
Slicing, rolling and shaping into finished formats — including no-sugar fruit rolls and energy bars.
Nutrition testing, compliance certification and creative packaging under the Gratitude Farms brand.
Local markets, Army units and establishments, corporate gifting, and bulk and online sales.
The journey in photos — part 1
Oct–Nov 2022
Visits to apple orchards and selection of potential supply vendors.
Dec 2022
Site identified and occupied near the Banihal Tunnel; a project manager, supervisor, food technology manager and admin coordinator hired locally.
Dec 2022 – Feb 2023
Solar dryers manufactured and pre-shipment inspected at Raheja Solar Food Products (Indore) and Sukoon Innovations; heavy Kashmir Valley snow slowed on-site work.
Jan–Feb 2023
Gramonnati's local team trained in solar drying and food processing in Hyderabad.
1–10 Mar 2023
Solar dryers installed on site; local women selected and trained.
11 Mar 2023
Soft launch of the Qazigund facility, with Athaang GM Mr Aftab Darvesh in attendance.
The journey in photos — part 2
Oct–Dec 2022
Leadership site visits; a roadside building in Dichpally leased and identified for conversion into a processing facility.
Dec 2022 – Feb 2023
Electrification, perimeter walls and interior finishing carried out; solar dryers manufactured and inspected at Raheja Solar Food Products, Indore, and SEED, Hyderabad.
Early Mar 2023
Solar dryers despatched from Indore and installed on site; local women selected and trained in food processing.
11 Mar 2023
Soft launch, marked with a traditional pooja at the facility.
3 May 2023
Formal launch of Project Ravi Kiran, Dichpally.
Gratitude Farms
Solar-dried powders, no-sugar fruit rolls and energy bars — nutrition-tested, compliance-certified and packaged under the Trust's own brand.
What it proved
Project Ravi Kiran proved that a simple, zero-energy-cost technology — paired with rural women's skill and effort — can turn wasted produce into income, nutrition and dignity. It's a model the Trust continues to draw on as it builds its next generation of community-led infrastructure.