Optimal Performance of Multi-Crop Drying Machine for Turmeric (Curcuma longa)

Agriculture remains vital to many economies, yet post-harvest losses, particularly due to inefficient drying, pose significant challenges. Turmeric (Curcuma longa), valued for its medicinal and culinary uses, is commonly dried using traditional sun drying, which often leads to quality degradation and contamination. This study evaluated the performance of a multi-crop drying machine designed for turmeric, aiming to improve drying efficiency and product quality. A two-factor factorial experiment in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with three replications was employed in this study. Factor A (drying temperature) had three levels: 41–50°C, 51–60°C, and 61–70°C. Factor B (slice thickness) included 1mm, 2mm, and 3mm. Parameters assessed were drying time, relative humidity, moisture content, drying efficiency, drying recovery, energy consumption, and cost analysis. Results showed that higher temperatures significantly reduced drying time, with 70°C achieving full dryness in 9 hours. Thinner slices dried faster but retained more moisture at lower temperatures, while 3mm slices dried more uniformly at higher temperatures. Optimal drying efficiency (26.11%) was observed at 70°C, though higher heat may risk product quality. Energy use per kilogram decreased with temperature, enhancing efficiency. Economic analysis showed a net income of Php 203,123.00/year, a break-even point of 1,894.19 kg/year, and a benefit-cost ratio of 1.98, indicating economic viability. The study concludes that the machine significantly improves turmeric drying performance. The optimal setting is 70°C with 2mm slice thickness, which balances efficiency, energy use, and product integrity, supporting its adoption to reduce post-harvest losses and enhance farmer income. Keywords: Turmeric drying, Multi-crop dryer, Post-harvest technology, Drying efficiency