This project is collaboration between SEED & HESCO. SEED is an NGO that develops technologies with emphasis on alternate energy utilization which can be used in remote rural areas of India. SEED is based in Hyderabad (AP). HESCO, Himalayan Environmental Studies Conservation Organization, is an NGO that works with the people in the hilly Regions of Uttaranchal & Himachal Pradesh in Northern India. The project’s aim is to use the fruit processing & preservation technologies based on solar drying methods developed at SEED, apply to the remote hill areas of Himalayan region for the betterment of hill people of Uttaranchal & Himachal Pradesh where fruits like Apple & Plums are plenty. Solar Drying process has been applied successfully for processing of fruits grown in abundance in Hilly regions of Northern India such as apples, plums, apricots & strawberries into fruit bars for longer shelf life with high nutritional values.

The Process technology was transferred to HESCO located at Uttaranchal & Himachal Pradesh. The process technology establishes the feasibility of developing nutritive Fruit bars from fruits grown in Hill Regions, with good shelf life at very low cost. The technology is scaled up and HESCO disseminating this technology to women, poor farmers, & unemployed young as well as to the micro- entrepreneurs of the region.