Agriculture is a major source of income for households in Africa. Small-holder farmers are faced with challenges such as climate change, government policy, a lack of funding, and post-harvest loss.
The United Nations regarding food wastage has revealed that food wastage in Nigeria per citizen is the highest in Africa, adding that Nigerians trash at least 189 kilograms of food every year, amounting to a total of 37.9 million (37,941,470) metric tons of food every 12 months.
According to the International Food Policy Research Institute (FPRI), lack of cold storage accounts for 45% of food deterioration in developing nations, costing farmers over $470 million, or 25% of their annual income. In Nigeria, the Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute (NSPRI) estimates that roughly 50% of its food is lost annually, while Tanzania loses 30% of fresh fruit and 50% of vegetables (tomatoes) annually. Cameroon likewise loses between 40% and 50% of its food, and Ghana's Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) estimates a range of 10% to 40% loss in perishable fruits, vegetables, and root and tuber crops.
Due to the numerous losses experienced in Africa and across the country, Technologists are seeking clean, renewable energy and sustainable solutions that reduce fruit and vegetable losses.
Trane Technology, in collaboration with ColdHubs, are conducting a research to assess the efficiency of radiative Cooling Cold Cart Technology for wheelbarrow fresh fruits and vegetables retailers in Nigeria.
The new and innovative Cooling Technology is a thin film coating and rooftop cooling panel that passively rejects heat to the sky. The film and panel can cool below the ambient temperature with no electricity input and without evaporating water.
The technology will harness the cold of the sky and space to enable electricity-free cooling for retailers to help extend the shelf life of their products.
In developing countries, retailers of fruits and vegetables display their products on a wheelbarrow while moving their goods from one street to another in search of customers. Sometimes, their products get spoiled due to exposure to heated sunlight, which affects them badly.
These street vendors are mostly women and third-class citizens trying to make profits for their survival. But due to a lack of proper storage, they lose their produce and make minimal sales, therefore affecting their income.
The Vice President/General Manager,Wilson Lawrences, disclosed that the technology will reduce food losses and increase the income of the vendors.
Trane Technologies is a global leader in refrigeration and air conditioning that is committed to sustainability and environmental stewardship. They prioritize energy efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions throughout their operations and product offerings.
The company aims to develop innovative technologies and solutions that enable customers to achieve their sustainability goals.