Techno-Economic Analysis of a Crossflow Column Dryer for Maize Drying in Ghana

In Ghana, smallholder maize farmers continue to serve as the primary contributor production. These farmers, however, still face challenges of access appropriate, effective, and efficient drying systems. They depend on open sun drying, which leads high post-harvest losses. this study, a 500 kg portable column dryer with biomass burner heat source was evaluated using maize. Indicators such rate, efficiency, moisture extraction rate were used assess its technical performance. The economic performance system appraised Net Present Value (NPV), Internal Rate Return (IRR), Benefit-Cost Ratio (BCR), Payback Period (PBP). results showed that content reduced from 22.3% 13.4 ± 2.6% in 5 h at an average 1.81%/h efficiency 64.7%. Utilization for provision services maize-growing community over 10-year utilization period proved viable NPV IRR $1633 71%, respectively, PBP less than two years, BCR 2.82. Adoption low-capacity mobile grain dryers sub-Saharan Africa would be beneficial providing timely improve socio-economic status region.