Efficiency for Access Research and Development Fund: Innovator Series – Smart Villages Research Group

Globally, 1.3 billion tonnes of food are wasted or lost per year. Post-harvest food loss threatens food security, farmers’ livelihoods, and the environment. Smart Villages Research Group partnered with EcoLife Food to research, design and create a pilot cold room. The company researched various local materials for cold construction and based its pilot cold room on the availability, thermal performance, and durability of the materials. Smart Villages Research Group chose a design for its cold room that could be assembled locally to reduce transport costs, create more efficient production lines, and increase local employment.

This report details the successful completion of the project, supported by the Efficiency for Access Research and Development Fund, and funded by UK aid and IKEA Foundation.