A Cooling Atlas for preserving fruit and vegetables in low- and middle-income countries
How innovative cooling solutions can help transform food preservation in low-income regions
Authored by representatives of Energy Saving Trust, co-Secretariat of Efficiency for Access, alongside co-authors from Elsevier, Wageningen University and The World Bank, this article addresses the cooling technologies that can assist with effective postharvest preservation of fruits and vegetables in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC).
Cooling, especially when powered by renewable energy, is an important way to preserve fresh produce postharvest helping to strengthen food security and reduce poverty. This journal article identifies a range cooling technologies for use post-harvest in LMICs, emphasising the importance of both active and passive solutions. It identifies the challenges and opportunities for deploying these technologies in LMIC.
The Cooling Atlas, a key outcome of this work, offers a detailed evaluation matrix to help decision makers and programme implementers select the most suitable cooling technologies. This resource aims to guide informed decisions, helping to promote sustainable and scalable cooling solutions for food and nutrition security in LMICs.
A Cooling Atlas for preserving fruit and vegetables in low- and middle-income countries