Introduction
The world is facing a significant challenge regarding the global food supply. Even though we produce 1.5 times the amount of food needed worldwide, approximately one-third of global production is lost throughout the value chain. This issue is particularly severe in developing countries, where deficiencies in distribution systems and significant post-harvest losses plague the agricultural landscape.
In response to these challenges, the Your Virtual Cold Chain Assistant initiative, in collaboration with CoolCrop, ColdHubs, Koel Fresh, and Oorja Development Solutions, has launched an Operator’s Manual. This comprehensive guide seeks to address the pressing issue of post-harvest losses by offering a transformative approach to managing solar-powered cold rooms to simultaneously store multiple crops. It provides pragmatic insights to cold room operators, aiming to extend the shelf life of stored produce and bolster food security.
Chapter 1: Introduction to Cold Chains for the Fresh Produce Industry
Chapter 1 of the manual delves into the heart of the global post-harvest loss problem. It introduces decentralised cold rooms as a solution and explores how these innovative facilities can help mitigate the issue while contributing to sustainable development goals. The decentralisation approach strategically positions cold rooms near farms and markets, making them more accessible to smallholder farmers and accommodating multi-cropping farming patterns.
Chapter 2: Post-harvest Handling and Treatment Methods
Chapter 2 guides readers through the various phases of the fresh produce value chain. It scrutinises factors influencing crop quality during the post-harvest phase and presents best practices for optimising fresh produce quality based on temperature prerequisites and ethylene sensitivity. This chapter empowers operators with the knowledge needed to extend the shelf life of stored crops.
Chapter 3: The Cooling-as-a-Service Business Model
Chapter 3 elaborates on applying the Cooling-as-a-Service business model in the agricultural sector. It describes the operational responsibilities of cooling companies, operators, and community groups such as Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) and self-help groups. The chapter introduces Your Virtual Cold Chain Assistant (Your VCCA), a joint project by the Basel Agency for Sustainable Energy and Empa. Your VCCA combines servitisation and digitalisation to build smallholders’ trust and help them leverage the socioeconomic benefits of post-harvest cooling. Your VCCA’s app, Coldtivate, helps manage cold rooms and monitor the remaining storage life of stored crops, enabling profitable sales decisions. The chapter explains how the app’s operational responsibilities are divided among the three user types.
Chapter 4: Remedying Technical Challenges
Chapter 4 provides essential troubleshooting measures for technical issues in solar-powered cold rooms, ensuring smooth operations and minimising disruptions. It offers practical solutions to common technical problems and gives operators the tools they need to address any issues that may arise.
Chapter 5: Starting Your Coldtivate Journey
Chapter 5 outlines the main steps for cooling companies, operators, and farmers to register and use Coldtivate. It emphasises how Coldtivate helps integrate cold storage into agricultural value chains to reduce post-harvest losses effectively. The chapter provides a detailed guide to getting started with the app, including registering, setting up your account, and using the platform to manage your cold rooms.
Overall, the Operator’s Manual provides a comprehensive guide for managing solar-powered cold rooms and reducing post-harvest losses. It offers practical insights and solutions for operators in the fresh produce industry, helping to extend the shelf life of stored crops and bolster food security. By leveraging innovative solutions like decentralised cold rooms and the Cooling-as-a-Service business model, we can work towards a more sustainable and equitable food system for all.
Webinar: Reshaping Cold Room Management for a Sustainable Future
The launch of the Operator’s Manual is accompanied by a webinar hosted by BASE and Empa. This webinar aims to tackle common questions posed by cooling companies, farmer producer organisations, and entrepreneurs who are striving to enhance the efficiency of post-harvest infrastructure.
Webinar Highlights
- Factors Affecting Shelf Life: Learn about the diverse factors that impact the shelf life of crops and discover strategies to extend it effectively.
- Optimal Temperatures: Gain insights into determining the optimal temperatures for a cold room, especially when storing various crops with distinct temperature requirements.
- Crate Placement: Understand the importance of crate placement within the cold room to maximize shelf life and reduce post-harvest losses.
- Passive Cooling Techniques: Explore how passive cooling can help preserve the quality of crops and learn how to implement these techniques effectively.
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