Agricultural Engineering Department Designs Solar Air Heaters for Crop Drying

*Thursday, August 20, 2026*

The Department of Agricultural Engineering and Modern Technologies at Sana’a University’s Faculty of Agriculture, Food, and Environment has begun designing and developing solar air heaters to support post-harvest crop drying.

The project addresses post-harvest losses caused by high moisture content in harvested crops. The engineering team is developing a thermal system that utilizes solar energy to heat air, reduce relative humidity, and deliver controlled drying conditions for various agricultural products.

By offering an alternative to open-air drying, the system aims to improve drying efficiency, protect crop quality, and reduce environmental contamination. Dr. Adel Al-Qadasi, Head of the Department, noted that the initiative provides practical applications for renewable energy in agriculture while offering students direct experience in design, fabrication, and thermal testing.