Evaporative Cooling for Improved Fruit and Vegetable Storage in Rwanda and Burkina Faso

The objective of this research study is to investigate the potential for non-electric evaporative cooling devices to address the challenges of postharvest fruit and vegetable storage in Rwanda and Burkina Faso. The two classes of devices evaluated in this study are commonly known as “Zero Energy Cooling Chambers”, which are generally used by horticulture farmers, farmer groups, and cooperatives, and “clay pot coolers,” which are generally used in households. The study used a combination of electronic sensors, fruit and vegetable shelf life measurements, and structured user interviews to gather information about users’ needs for improved postharvest storage, current methods of postharvest storage, and the performance of the evaporative cooling devices. The results of this research indicate that evaporative cooling devices can provide value across a range of environmental conditions and fruit and vegetable types, and uncovered the following insights in Rwanda and Burkina Faso. Additional information on these technologies can be found here: https://d-lab.mit.edu/clay-pot-coolers