The journey of fresh produce from the farmer's field to the market is fraught with challenges, leading to significant losses. According to researchers, the wastage of fruits and vegetables can range from 23.6% to 43.5%, primarily due to spoilage during transportation and storage.
This common scenario leaves many farmers unable to receive fair prices for their hard-earned crops, exacerbated by seasonal oversupply that drives prices down. Traditional cold storage solutions in Bangladesh have primarily been suitable for potatoes, with inadequate provisions for other fruits and vegetables. In response to these longstanding issues, researchers from Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU) have made a groundbreaking advancement.
In collaboration with Agro-Make Development Initiatives (ADI), they introduced an innovative cold storage technology named ‘BAU-ADI Horticool’. This initiative, supported by Dutch-Bangla Bank, commenced in 2023 under a project aimed at reducing post-harvest losses of fruits and vegetables through accessible cold storage technology. One of the revolutionary aspects of the BAU-ADI Horticool technology is its ability to operate on single-phase (220 volts) electricity, contrasting sharply with conventional cold storage systems that require three-phase (440 volts) electricity. This feature makes it particularly beneficial for rural areas, where access to three-phase power is often challenging and costly. Moreover, most current cooling systems cannot lower temperatures below 16 degrees Celsius.
However, the new technology incorporates a specialized method allowing temperature control from -2 to 30 degrees Celsius. Furthermore, this hybrid cold storage system utilizes both national grid electricity and solar power, which allows it to run on solar energy for 66 to 69 percent of the day. This dual source of energy is expected to significantly reduce electricity costs. The storage capacity of the system is 2,000 kg, and it can be locally manufactured with minimal maintenance costs. Importantly, it is also portable if required.
Field tests conducted in Madhupur and Badarganj, Tangail, demonstrated promising results. Fruits and vegetables like mangoes, pineapples, tomatoes, green chilies, and carrots remained fresh for one to one and a half months at temperatures between 8 to 12 degrees Celsius. The technology’s functionality extends through a mobile application, which allows farmers to monitor temperature, humidity, and energy usage from both solar and grid sources. Future developments aim to enhance this platform by enabling farmers to control these parameters directly through the app.
The chief researcher highlighted that if this innovation reaches farmers effectively, they will be able to supply produce to the market in stages, ensuring fair pricing and stabilizing the market. The implementation of this technology is anticipated to contribute significantly to the economic upliftment of farmers and guarantee food and nutritional security. By reducing food wastage and enhancing the efficient use of resources, it promises a sustainable transformation in the agricultural landscape of Bangladesh.
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