From Sun to Shelf: Empowering Tunisian Women Through Solar Food Drying
Discover how women in Tunisia are harnessing innovative solar drying technology to become entrepreneurs, build sustainable livelihoods, and provide their communities with nutritious food all year round.
By: Takwa Khelifi, Hazar Abdelkafi, Mouhanned Jemli and Mahmoud Hammemi
In the sun-lit fields of Jendouba and Kairouan, women have long been the backbone of Tunisia’s agricultural production; planting, harvesting, and processing food for their families and communities. Yet, despite their vital role, they face persistent barriers: unpredictable climate shocks, limited access to modern equipment, and significant post-harvest losses that can wipe out months of hard work.
“ In the past, we lost so much of what we grew. The tomatoes would rot, the peppers would spoil — it felt like all our hard work was for nothing,” says Chadlia, a member of the El-Hana Agricultural Organization in Jendouba.
For women like Chadlia, the introduction of the CO-SOLAR dryer,a solar-powered food preservation tool, has been nothing short of transformative. Delivered by the World Food Programme (WFP) as part of the Joint Programme on Accelerating Progress Towards Rural Women’s Economic Empowerment (JP RWEE), this innovation is turning challenges into opportunities, one sun-dried chili at a time.
An innovation powered by the sun and women’s ambition
The CO-SOLAR dryer is a game-changer for rural communities. Unlike traditional chamsya (open-air drying) methods, which leave crops vulnerable to dust, insects, and unpredictable weather, this hybrid solar-electric dryer ensures fast, hygienic, and controlled drying — day or night.
Smart, solar-powered drying with built-in backup. CO-SOLAR uses Tunisia’s sunlight efficiently, protects produce from pests and UV damage, and preserves flavor and nutrients to meet modern food safety standards.
“With the old methods, drying peppers took days, and half would go bad. Now, it’s done in hours, and everything stays clean. We can even dry at night!” adds Chadlia.
The CO-SOLAR dryer is ideal for Tunisia’s sun-rich agricultural regions like Jendouba and Kairouan, where post-harvest losses reach 30–40% for fruits and vegetables (FAO, 2021). Its hybrid energy system ensures reliable operation year-round, reducing waste and boosting productivity in a sector that employs 15% of the workforce (World Bank, 2023).
From subsistence to entrepreneurship
Training sessions equipped members to operate and maintain the machines, opening new avenues for income and leadership.Chadlia explains,
“Before, we sold our produce fresh and at low prices,” Now we can store and sell dried goods months later and at good prices.”
By adding value to their harvests, women are moving beyond subsistence farming into small-scale agribusiness, gaining both financial independence and confidence. Through hands-on training and access to modern processing equipment, WFP Tunisia is enabling these women to move from subsistence farming to entrepreneurship and local leadership.
Food Security and Community Nutrition
CO-SOLAR strengthens food security in rural areas by preserving surplus produce and reducing waste. With dried products available year-round, communities can bridge seasonal gaps and improve nutrition intake of their communities. For OPAs, it’s a powerful tool to scale production, ensure quality, access new markets, and reduce costs while increasing value.
The introduction of this technology is creating jobs, improving incomes and enhancing the economic resilience of rural families. Women are stepping into new as business owners, producers, and community leaders.
Sustainability and Climate Resilience
The CO-SOLAR dryer is designed as a sustainable agro-processing solution that tackles both food waste and environmental challenges. By relying primarily on solar energy, it significantly reduces carbon emissions compared to traditional drying methods, while its hybrid system ensures reliable operation even during cloudy periods. This aligns with WFP’s commitment to clean energy and climate-resilient food systems, particularly in sun-rich regions like Tunisia.
Beyond reducing post-harvest losses, the dryer minimizes the need for wood or fossil fuels, cutting down on smoke pollution and deforestation pressures. Its efficient design not only supports food security but also promotes environmentally friendly practices, making it a practical, scalable solution for rural communities facing climate challenges.
Looking Ahead: Scaling Impact
With seven OPAs already equipped in 2024 and four more set to receive CO-SOLAR dryers in 2025, the programme is already transforming rural economies in Tunisia. The success in Jendouba and Kairouan is inspiring more women to see themselves not just as farmers, but as entrepreneurs and community leaders.
As more women gain access to this technology, the benefits ripple outward — strengthening food security, reducing waste, and boosting incomes for entire communities. “This is just the beginning,” says Mabrouka, a member of the GDA El Baraka in Tbainia. “When women have the right tools, we can do more than provide for our families — we can create opportunities for everyone around us.”
The CO-SOLAR initiative stands as proof that simple, sustainable innovations can spark lasting change. By harnessing Tunisia’s abundant sunlight and pairing it with women’s determination, the programme is turning resilience into opportunity.
Or, as Chadlia puts it: “We’ve always had the sun. Now, we’re finally putting it to work for us.” With each new dryer installed, that vision grows brighter.
The World Food Programme (WFP)is the world’s largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity, for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change. This story is by World Food Programme Tunisia, which is one of the 120 countries WFP is present in.
