Role of conventional energy in rural development in India: feasibility analysis of solar drying technology

The paper examines the role of technology for rural development/empowerment. For the purpose of the feasibility, dried meat production with solar energy is considered on a small scale unit of 50 kg/day. The study shows that the small scale production of sundried meat products require capital investment of US$ 0.17 lakhs. Total annual expenditure was estimated as US$ 0.43 lakhs. Cost of production of dried meat comes to US$ 12.38/kg with variable costs of US$ 10.78 and fixed costs of US$ 1.6/kg. Considering all the discounting measures like net present value (Rs. 0.09 lakhs) IRR (41 %) BCR (1.54) and payback period (3.21 years), sun dried meat production in rural areas can become a viable option for farmers to serve dual role of employment generation and profits. The results showed potential and worthiness of sun drying technology for the rural development/empowerment.