Vaibhav Tidke and his friends run Moomba, using patented Solar Conduction Dryer (SCD) technology to transform damaged crops into shelf-stable food ingredients, helping farmers escape the cycle of debt.

Moomba, a Maharashtra-based brand, is creating a market for produce that would typically go to waste. Through the innovative use of solar-powered dehydration technology, discarded produce is transformed into high-quality, shelf-stable food ingredients, providing farmers with an opportunity to generate additional income.

By converting unsellable produce into marketable products, S4S Technologies empowers over 3,500 women farmers, helping them earn an additional Rs 50,000 to Rs 1 lakh annually. This income boost is key to breaking the debt cycle that traps many farmers, offering them the financial stability to reinvest in their farms and improve their livelihoods," says @Vaibhav Tidke, CEO and co-founder of S4S Technologies, which launched the Moomba brand.

As of now, Moomba has successfully prevented 2 lakh tonnes of food from being wasted, greatly enhancing food security in communities. By utilizing renewable energy for food processing, the initiative reduces greenhouse gas emissions and promotes environmentally sustainable farming practices. This approach has helped mitigate 1.8 million tonnes of CO2 emissions, making farming more resilient to unpredictable weather patterns and extreme climate events, says Vaibhav Tidke, CEO and co-founder of Moomba.

Additionally, Moomba is fostering greater economic independence and promoting gender equality by empowering women farmers with the skills and knowledge to operate solar-powered technology and manage their businesses.

Sharing his insight on post-harvest losses

@Vaibhav Tidke says, “This occurs due to various factors such as inadequate storage facilities, poor infrastructure, inefficient supply chains, and lack of proper processing technology. It leads to economic loss, as many small farmers, with reduced income from their crops, are forced to take on more debt, creating a vicious cycle of poverty and indebtedness.”

Striving to find solutions

Moomba procures damaged and lower-grade crops primarily from smallholder farmers at the farmgate. The startup employs its patented Solar Conduction Dryer (SCD) technology, which harnesses solar heat to remove moisture from food items—fruits, vegetables, grains, and spices—effectively dehydrating them.

Processing Vegetables like Potatoes, Onion, Corn, and Tomato into Various Forms: Whole, Chopped, Minced, Granules, Powder, and More

The SCD is equipped with a transparent plastic cover that allows sunlight to penetrate and be absorbed by black-coated drying trays. The black food-grade coating maximizes solar radiation absorption, heating the surface where the produce is placed and effectively dehydrating it.

The absorbed solar energy is then transferred through conduction to the produce, ensuring uniform and efficient dehydration. The system is designed to be user-friendly, requiring minimal training, empowering women farmers to operate it independently.

This process extends the shelf life of the produce, transforming perishable crops into high-quality, shelf-stable food ingredients without relying on electricity or fossil fuels. Our technology exemplifies how simple, renewable energy solutions can drive economic independence and resilience in rural communities, helping farmers secure a better future for themselves and their families, says Vaibhav Tidke.

Empowering 3,500 Women Farmers with Financial Stability

Moomba uses solar-powered technology to create a variety of value-added products, including dehydrated fruits and vegetables like potatoes, green chili, peas, garlic, onion, corn, ginger, tomato, spinach, and pumpkin. These are processed into different forms such as whole, chopped, minced, granules, powder, kibbled, and sliced.

In addition to dehydrated fruits and vegetables, Moomba processes grains such as rice, soya, and corn grits, along with breakfast cereals, pulses, and spices like red chili and turmeric. These value-added products help preserve the nutritional content of the crops while creating new market opportunities, contributing to the economic empowerment of women farmers.

Innovative Solar-Powered Dehydration Turns Discarded Produce into Shelf-Stable Food

Kashi Shivaji Pawar, a landless farmer from Matrewadi village, shares how joining S4S Technologies transformed her life. From earning Rs 200 a day as an agricultural laborer, she now earns Rs 400-450, enabling her to support her daughters education and help her pursue graduation.

The company works with over 4 lakh smallholder farmers and has empowered 3,500 women. These women have seen a significant increase in their monthly incomes, with many experiencing an income boost of 15-20 percent. On average, they have observed an increase of Rs 4,000 to Rs 8,000 in their monthly income. This income boost provides them greater financial stability and allows them to reinvest in their farms, says Vaibhav Tidke."

The company serves 10,000 customers, including large packaged food companies, cloud kitchens, Quick-Service Restaurants (QSRs), export houses, hotels, restaurants, and the catering industry. Moombas annual revenue stands at Rs 200 crores.

Reflecting on the impact created by Moomba, Vaibhav Tidke says, "Weve been able to address critical challenges like post-harvest losses, food waste, and poverty by providing sustainable, solar-powered solutions that empower farmers to become entrepreneurs."

He adds, "The ripple effect of our work is profound—every time we scale our operations, we enhance the livelihoods of those directly involved and drive broader systemic change within the communities we serve. The journey has been immensely fulfilling, and knowing that our growth directly translates into meaningful, lasting impact for so many only deepens our commitment to expanding our reach and multiplying our efforts.”

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Edited by Gayathri