Agriculture in Ghana: A TU Delft project powered by GMS Instruments

At GMS Instruments, we recognize the vital role that universities and academic institutions play in driving innovation and shaping the future. As part of our commitment to supporting research and development worldwide, we proudly sponsor programs and initiatives that align with our mission of fostering sustainable solutions.

One recent example is our sponsorship of a project led by students from TU Delft, which aimed to combat post-harvest losses in Ghana. The team designed and implemented a passive indirect solar dryer to help smallholder farmers preserve their crops, reduce waste, and increase profitability. This innovative solution, developed in collaboration with local stakeholders and experts, demonstrates how academic research can address real-world challenges.

The team first conducted extensive research and prototyping in the Netherlands before traveling to Ghana for five weeks. In Ghana, they collaborated with local farmers, artisans, and students from the Volta region and Kumasi to develop the final design of the solar dryer. The dryer is specifically designed to address the needs of commercial smallholders, taking into account the varying climate conditions throughout the year.

The innovative dryer helps smallholder farmers extend the shelf life of their crops, thus preventing post-harvest spoilage and enabling farmers to sell their produce year-round, thereby increasing their income. This project not only introduced a transformative agricultural solution but also served as an invaluable learning experience for the team.

By supporting initiatives like this, GMS Instruments helps universities, institutes, and programs around the globe access the instrumentation technology they need to drive impactful research. We are proud to play a part in empowering the next generation of innovators to create solutions that benefit communities and industries worldwide.