Eka Khutkubia is one of the project participants that lives in the village of Darcheli in Samegrelo Zemo Svaneti Region. She owns a small plot of land 1500m2 where she cultivates corn, beans, cabbage, tomatoes and other vegetables with the support of the children. But unfavourable conditions for agriculture such as droughts, land erosion, lack of agricultural tools, quality seeds and no financial resources for their purchase created additional problems in farming for poor women like Eka. Therefore, yields derived from agricultural activities werre hardly enough to feed the children. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown period, she was not allowed to sell their products at the street markets. At the meeting organized by the project team, Eka saw a big potential in benefiting from Hybrid Solar Dryer to generate more incomes and sustain livelihood compared to traditional methods of drying. “I would usually lay my products on the trays in the open to wait for the products to dry. My products were exposed to dust, polluted air, and insects and sometimes damaged. Unexpected rain and wind also contributed to the loss of some of my products.” The project donated a solar dryer to Eka to support her vision for an empowered future and to learn from her experience to maximize future impact. “These solar dryers are simple yet effective, protecting products from harmful direct sunlight, wind, rain, pollutants, dust, and bacteria/fungus growth. I no longer need to guard the products and chase animals away. They also reduce drying times by about 50% and retain nutrients more effectively when compared with traditional sun drying,” describes Eka. “I am very optimistic about the benefits of the dryer as I can produce good quality dried fruits and vegetables and sell them at good prices, thus generating additional incomes for my family. Many households in my community and beyond have already expressed the willingness to follow my case.”  Lia Mukhashavria is another project beneficiary from the town Lanchkhuti of the Guria region. She is the head of a women cooperative that is engaged in the cultivation and drying of hazelnuts. Lia is actively involved in the project. “Members of our cooperative that are mostly women see a good opportunity for increasing employment and income generation opportunities. The practical training on maintenance and operation of the dryer and drying technologies are good preconditions for producing quality products and selling them at the local and international market year-round, which creates new economic opportunities and improves livelihoods, health, and safety for our members and others linked with cooperative activities.”