Cooling from the Sun: Innovations for Effective Post-Harvest Cold Storage in Rural Areas of India

Expanding access to cold storage for rural farmers reduces food waste, supports food security, and increases farmers’ income. Innovations that use solar energy and low-cost materials, such as the Farm SunFridge (FSF) model, increase access to refrigerated cold storage for rural farmers who lack reliable electricity. To make certain this innovation reaches rural farmers, farmer producer organizations (FPOs), and farming communities who can benefit from it, officials from government agencies must ensure that grants and loans for solar-powered cold storage using the FSF model are accessible through subsidies and funds that support agricultural development. The information presented in this policy brief is based on research led by Dr. Sangeeta Chopra of the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) with Dr. Randolph Beaudry and Dr. Norbert Müller of Michigan State University.

This brief is available in both English and Hindi.