Advancing sustainable AGRIculture through off-grid energy and COOLing solutions in Africa

AGRI-COOL aims to meet two major challenges: reducing food losses and waste, and reducing the use of fossil fuel generators that are not climate-friendly.

The AGRI-COOL project

Aims to empower rural African communities and industries by strengthening food security, reducing post-harvest waste, and fostering sustainable economic growth. The project also aligns with the climate goals of African countries under the Paris Agreement. By developing a containerised solution for food storage and cooling, AGRI-COOL will enable the preservation of perishable goods for longer periods, minimising food waste and improving the management of supply chains.

At the core of this initiative is the creation of an adaptable cooling system, ideally suited for remote rural areas where access to modern infrastructure is limited. This mobile solution will allow farmers to maintain the quality of their harvests, improving both their incomes and the availability of food within local communities. By leveraging environmentally friendly technologies, AGRI-COOL will play a vital role in transitioning toward more climate-resilient agricultural practices.

To ensure the long-term success of the project, tailored training programs will be provided. These programs will equip farmers, technicians, and engineers with the necessary skills to locally install, operate, and maintain the cooling systems. By building local expertise, AGRI-COOL will not only foster community self-reliance but also create jobs while promoting the adoption of sustainable farming practices.

Objectives
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Year Project
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Consortium Partners
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Pilot Countries
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Coordinated by: University of Twente

Consortium Partners: 13 Collaborative Partners

Goals

To achieve its objectives of minimising food losses and waste,
as well as reducing the reliance on fossil fuel-powered generators,
AGRI-COOL will implement the following strategies:

Building the Agri-Cool containers

Build containers in which food can be stored and cooled. They will feature photovoltaic technology, thermal energy storage using phase change materials, chillers and smart control strategies.

Testing in rural communities

Test the containers in rural communities in South Africa, Cape Verde, Somalia and Zimbabwe.

Life cycle assessment

Conduct a life cycle assessment following the cradle-to-grave approach to demonstrate the system’s impact on the environment and Paris Agreement’s targets against competing approaches.

Training programs

Develop training programs for farmers, technicians, and engineers, tailored to local conditions, to ensure that the system can be installed, operated, and maintained locally.

Advanced course for engineers

Organize an advanced course for third-party engineers from various African countries on the design, customization, and broader economic and social aspects of the system.

Market strategy

Develop a comprehensive market and business strategy for the adoption of the system after the project.

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Demo Sites

The AGRI-COOL demonstrators will be deployed in strategic locations in Africa, including Cape Verde, Somalia, Zimbabwe and South Africa. The demonstration phase, scheduled to last at least three years, will implement five key innovations in these regions.

DEMO 1– Boa Vista island, CAPE VERDE

DEMO 2 – Xingalool, SOMALIA

DEMO 3 - Bulawayo Umguza Farm, ZIMBABWE

DEMO 4 - Valota Farm, Phillipi, SOUTH AFRICA

DEMO 5– Boa Vista island, CAPE VERDE

Events

AGRI-COOL will be promoted in various worldwide events: Stay tuned by subscribing to the Newsletter!

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