How to reduce post-harvest losses most effectively and quickly?

The Impact of Global Warming on Food Storage and Transport

Rising global temperatures are making it increasingly difficult to store and transport perishable food safely. Products that once needed only basic cooling now require reliable cold chains to avoid spoilage and protect food safety.

In many developing regions, the lack of refrigerated storage leads to dramatic losses:

• In India, up to 50% of perishable goods are lost because there is no access to reliable cold storage.

• In Tanzania, as much as 97% of meat spoils for the same reason.

Without proper refrigeration, farmers struggle to move their produce over long distances. Crops and animal products often cannot survive the journey from rural areas to urban markets, causing lost income for farmers, higher prices for consumers, and increased food insecurity.

At the same time, traditional refrigeration systems contribute to climate change. It is estimated that refrigeration is responsible for around 1% of global CO₂ emissions. This creates a classic vicious circle:

1. Global warming increases the need for cooling.

2. More cooling, powered by fossil fuels, increases emissions.

3. Emissions accelerate global warming further.

To break this cycle, the world needs sustainable, low-carbon cooling solutions that protect food without worsening the climate crisis.

Available Climate-Smart Cooling Solutions

Solar-Powered Cold Rooms

One of the most promising approaches is the use of renewable energy–powered cold storage.

• ColdHubs, founded by a Nigerian entrepreneur, has developed modular, “plug-and-play” cold rooms powered by solar energy.

• These units are independent of unreliable electrical grids and can be deployed directly in markets or near farms