Hybrid Solar Cold Storage

Climate Adaptation through Pcm-Based Hybrid Solar Cold Storage for Sustainable Post-Harvest Management of Fruits and Vegetables

Overview:

The project builds resilience by integrating solar energy and Phase Change Materials (PCM) into small-scale cold storage infrastructure. This innovative, off-grid technology reduces post-harvest losses, boosts farmer incomes, and promotes green energy by enabling energy-efficient, low-emission storage that helps farmers preserve produce, avoid spoilage, and sell at better prices. Targeting smallholder farmers, entrepreneurs including youth, women, and persons with disabilities, the project will directly benefit 800 individuals across Rajshahi and Natore. It is implemented by the Integrated Development Foundation (IDF) in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme and the Global Environment Facility (GEF) Small Grants Programme (SGP), and will run from February 2025 to April 2026.

Project Objectives:

The program has expanded to include 52 clubs and 23 forums across 4 clusters in Rangamati and Bandarban, engaging over 2,000 adolescents. Thousands of girls have participated in a wide range of activities focused on social awareness, livelihood skills, health and nutrition, along with cultural, sports, leadership, and ethical development workshops. Additionally, IDF, with PKSF, has been working in Chittagong, Bandarban, and Rangamati to prevent social degradation and promote clean environments through cultural and sports initiatives. A “Sexual Harassment Prevention and Sanitation Program” is also being implemented with Satkania Municipality to ensure a safe and respectful society for women.

Core Components:

Baseline and Endline surveys: Baseline along with Farmers’ profiling, Endline surveys and climate vulnerability assessment to track impact on post-harvest losses, income, and energy savings.
Training module on Post-harvest Handling: Development of a training module on post-harvest handling, cold storage operation, and maintenance.
Technology Deployment: Install 5 MT two PCM-based solar cold storage units in Natore.
Capacity Building: Train farmers and youth entrepreneurs on cold chain management, storage, and market access.
Market Linkage Development: Facilitate better connections between producers, traders, and buyers through aggregation.
Stakeholder Engagement: Coordination with local government, NGOs, and private sector actors and others.
Awareness: Promotion of renewable energy integration in agricultural cold chains through solar infrastructure.
Monitoring & Impact Assessment: Regularly assess reductions in loss, improvements in income, energy savings and carbon reduction.

Expected Results

At the end of this project, the project outcome will stand as follows:

100 entrepreneurs/ vegetable and fruit farmers trained in the management and operation of the PCM-based solar cold storage units.
Two (2) training modules in picturesque language in Bangla / operational guidelines developed, one for post-harvest management and the other one for the operation and maintenance of the PCM-based solar cold storage.
Around 800 farmers' households benefit annually from climate-resilient livelihood and income-generating activities through this project.
Farmers using the storage units are expected to see a 25% increase in average income due to reduced spoilage and strategic market sales.
Besides others, every year around 4,000 kg of high-value fruits and vegetables will be preserved, reducing spoilage and wastage significantly.
Finally, spill over effect of this innovative project at farmers level will induce replication in other areas of the country.

Alignment with National and Global Priorities

This project supports:

SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) – By improving food availability and income.
SDG 7 (Affordable & Clean Energy) – Through solar-powered infrastructure.
SDG 13 (Climate Action) – By reducing GHGs and enhancing adaptation.
Bangladesh Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan (BCCSAP)
National Adaptation Plan (NAP) and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)

Integrated Development Foundation (IDF) is a non-profit organization dedicated to combating poverty in the remote, hilly, and underserved regions of Bangladesh.