Assessing the Impact of Solar Food Dryer Adoption on Post-Harvest Losses, Dietary Intake, and Livelihoods of Smallholder Farmers in Arusha, Tanzania: A Research Protocol

Smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa face considerable post-harvest losses of perishable fruits, undermining food security and income. In Tanzania's Arusha Region, these losses worsen nutritional deficits and economic vulnerability. Solar food dryers present a potential low-cost technology to address this, but comprehensive evidence on their combined effect on losses, diet, and livelihoods is scarce. This protocol describes a study to assess the impact of solar food dryer adoption by smallholder farmers in Arusha, Tanzania. Its primary objectives are to: 1) quantify changes in post-harvest fruit losses; 2) evaluate changes in household fruit consumption and dietary diversity; and 3) analyse changes in household income from the sale of dried produce. A mixed-methods, quasi-experimental design will be used, with intervention and control groups. A sample of smallholder fruit farmers will be recruited. The intervention group will receive a solar dryer and training on its use and preservation. Data will be collected at baseline and follow-up via surveys, 24-hour dietary recalls, and post-harvest loss assessments. Focus group discussions and key informant interviews will gather qualitative data on adoption barriers and experiences. As a research protocol, no empirical findings are presented. The study anticipates a measurable reduction in post-harvest losses, a potential increase in household fruit consumption, and improved income from dried produce sales. The study is designed to generate evidence on the integrated impact of solar dryer technology, informing its potential as a nutrition-sensitive agricultural intervention in Tanzania and analogous settings. Future research should consider longitudinal studies to assess sustained impact. Policymakers and agricultural extension services should consider integrating similar food preservation technologies into support programmes. solar food dryer, post-harvest losses, dietary intake, smallholder farmers, Tanzania, nutrition-sensitive agriculture This protocol provides a structured framework for investigating the multi-dimensional impact of a low-cost food preservation technology on nutrition and livelihoods, contributing to the field of dietetics and food security in Africa.