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East Africa maize fields with smallholder farmers
● EAST AFRICA · OFF-GRID · MAIZE / CORN

Off-Grid Maize
Drying Solution

Limited grid access leaves East African smallholders dependent on sun drying — with 20–30% post-harvest losses. The G-MR-10 mobile dryer with diesel generator operates independently of grid power, while biomass pellet option lowers drying cost for cooperative-scale operations.

-50%
Fuel Cost
10T
Per Batch
20-40
TPD
THE CHALLENGE

When the Grid Doesn't Reach

Rural East African farming regions lack reliable grid power — leaving maize to sun-dry with devastating losses during seasonal rains.

No Power, No Drying

In rural Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, and Uganda, less than 30% of farming communities have reliable grid electricity. Without power, mechanical drying is impossible. Maize harvested at 20–25% moisture must be sun-dried on tarpaulins — a process that takes 5–7 days and fails completely during seasonal rains.

Cooperative Scale, Individual Need

Smallholder farmers typically cultivate 1–3 hectares. Individually, they cannot justify purchasing a dryer. But organized into cooperatives of 50–100 farmers, a shared mobile dryer serving multiple villages by rotation becomes economically viable. The challenge is making the dryer work off-grid and keeping fuel costs affordable.

20-25%
Maize Moisture at Harvest
Safe storage level: 13-14%
<30%
Rural Grid Access
In farming communities
72h
Mold Window
Aflatoxin risk begins
20-30%
Post-Harvest Loss
Without mechanical drying
SOLUTION CONFIGURATION

Built for Off-Grid Operation

Three components configured for off-grid cooperative-scale maize drying across East Africa.

G-MR-10 Mobile Grain Dryer
Dryer
G-MR-10 Mobile Dryer
10-ton batch mobile dryer. Larger capacity than G-MR-5 for cooperative-scale operations. Towed between villages on standard roads.
Capacity10 T/batch
Throughput20-40 TPD
Power8 kW
Diesel Generator Control Cabinet
Power
Diesel Generator Package
Heavy-duty diesel generator sized to run the dryer independently. Fuel-efficient design with auto-idle when dryer is between batches.
Output15 kVA
FuelDiesel
Auto-IdleYes
Biomass Pellet Burner System
Fuel System
Biomass Pellet Burner
Burns biomass pellets made from agricultural waste (maize cobs, stalks, husks). Cuts fuel cost by 50% vs diesel-only operation.
FuelBiomass Pellets
Cost Saving-50%
SourceLocal Agri-Waste
HOW IT WORKS

The Off-Grid Drying Process

From generator start to village rotation in five steps — built for cooperative operation.

1
Generator Start
Diesel generator powers up. Auto-idle conserves fuel between batches.
2
Load Maize
Cooperative members deliver maize at 20–25% moisture. 10-ton batch loaded via elevator.
3
Biomass Drying
Biomass pellet burner heats air to 55–60°C. PLC controls cycle (4–5 hours per batch).
4
Moisture Check
Sensor verifies maize reached 13–14% safe storage moisture. Auto-stop prevents over-drying.
5
Rotate
Unload dry maize, tow dryer to next village. One dryer serves 3–5 villages per season.
BENEFITS & SAVINGS

What This Solution Delivers

Quantified impact for off-grid cooperative maize drying across East Africa.

0
Grid Power Needed
Fully Off-Grid Operation
Diesel generator included — operates anywhere, regardless of grid availability. No electrical infrastructure required.
-50%
Fuel Cost
Biomass Pellets vs Diesel
Locally-made biomass pellets from maize cobs and stalks cut fuel cost in half. Pellets cost 40–60% less than diesel.
3-5
Villages Served
Mobile Rotation Model
One dryer rotates between 3–5 villages per season. Cooperative investment shared across members.
20-40
TPD
Cooperative Throughput
2–4 batches per day handles cooperative-scale maize volume during harvest season.
1
Operator
Minimal Labor
PLC automation + auto-idle generator means one trained operator runs the entire system.
<5%
Post-Harvest Loss
From 30% to Under 5%
Mechanical drying eliminates mold, aflatoxin, and pest losses that plague sun-dried maize.
SPECIFICATIONS

Solution Technical Specs

Full configuration details for the G-MR-10 mobile dryer with diesel generator and biomass burner.

Model
GXON G-MR-10 Mobile Batch Dryer
Batch Capacity
10 tons per batch
Daily Throughput
20–40 TPD (2–4 batches/day)
Primary Fuel
Biomass pellets
Backup Fuel
Diesel
Generator
15 kVA diesel (included)
Drying Temperature
55–60°C
Moisture Reduction
3–5% per pass
Cycle Time
4–5 hours per batch
Control System
PLC with dual temp sensors
Power Requirement
8 kW (from generator)
Transport Height
4.5m
Setup Time
45 minutes
Total Weight
5,800 kg
FAQ

Common Questions

What size generator do I need?
A 15 kVA diesel generator is included with the package. It is sized to run the dryer, elevator, and control system with margin for startup surges.
Where do I source biomass pellets?
Pellets can be made locally from maize cobs, stalks, and husks using a small pellet mill (available separately). Alternatively, commercial pellets are available in most East African countries.
How does the cooperative rotation model work?
The dryer is towed between 3–5 villages on a rotation schedule. Each village hosts the dryer for 3–5 days during peak harvest. GXON provides a scheduling template and training for cooperative managers.
What maintenance is required?
Daily: clean dust filters, check generator oil. Weekly: lubricate elevator chain, inspect belts. Annually: full burner service, generator service, heat exchanger inspection.
Can the dryer handle other grains?
Yes. The PLC supports drying profiles for maize, sorghum, beans, and wheat. Switch grain type via the control panel.
Is operator training included?
Yes. GXON provides 3-day on-site training covering operation, maintenance, and basic troubleshooting. Training materials in English and Swahili.

Serving your cooperative?

Tell us your cooperative size, grain volume, and location — we'll configure an off-grid solution.

Request Quote View G-MR-10 Details