Technology Disruptions in Cold Storage

Summary

The webinar series focuses on decentralized and sustainable cold storage solutions, particularly in India's agricultural sector. Experts from various organizations discuss the challenges and innovations in cold storage technology, emphasizing the importance of energy governance, policy, and the need for accessible, affordable infrastructure. They explore technological advancements, financing models, and policy ecosystems to enhance farmer income, reduce produce waste, and promote a just transition towards sustainability.

Takeaways

• 🌟 The webinar series aims to explore decentralized and sustainable cold storage solutions, emphasizing the importance of innovation and collective action for a just transition in the agricultural sector.
• 📈 BAS Research, a not-for-profit initiative in Rajasthan, is facilitating the webinar to address the challenges of energy governance and policy, especially in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on social and economic systems.
• 🌱 The discussion highlights the critical issue of farmer income and the viability of agriculture as a trade, considering that a significant portion of the population depends on it, despite its limited contribution to GDP.
• 📊 There is a stark contrast between the stagnant inflation-adjusted output prices of key grains and the increasing input prices, which marginalizes rural communities and prompts the need for policy measures to liberalize agri-markets.
• 💡 The webinar underscores the need for sustainable agri-infrastructure, especially for storage and processing, to address the agri-crisis not just in India but globally, and to reduce the carbon footprint of current infrastructure and market designs.
• 🛠️ Technology disruptions and product innovations are a key focus of the first part of the webinar series, with subsequent parts focusing on business model innovations and policy ecosystem discussions.
• 🌐 The webinar brings together a global audience from various sectors, including enterprises, NGOs, think tanks, and governments, to foster partnerships and collaborations towards achieving SDG goals by 2030.
• 🔄 The importance of cooling technologies extends beyond agriculture to include health centers, vaccine storage, and household well-being, with a focus on adapting to climate change and reducing energy consumption.
• 🌡️ Different cold storage technologies are available based on energy sources, including solar and biogas, with various thermal storage systems like sensible heat, latent heat, and thermochemical being discussed.
• 🌿 The integration of remote monitoring and crop management systems in cold storage technologies is highlighted as a means to support farmers in maintaining optimal storage conditions and managing market fluctuations.
• 🚀 The webinar series is intended to champion innovations in the cold storage space, with a focus on decentralized solutions that can empower farmers and contribute to a more sustainable and resilient agricultural sector.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the webinar series on decentralized and sustainable cold storage?

The webinar series focuses on discussing technology disruptions, business model innovations, and policy ecosystems related to decentralized and sustainable cold storage solutions, particularly for small and marginal farmers.

Why is the issue of farmer income and agriculture as a viable trade a key concern in the context of cold storage?

Farmer income and agriculture are key concerns because a significant portion of the population depends on agriculture, which contributes less than 18 percent to the GDP. The stagnation of inflation-adjusted output prices for key grains while input prices increase marginalizes rural communities, making sustainable cold storage solutions crucial for their income stability.

What is the role of BAS Research in the webinar?

BAS Research is a not-for-profit initiative based in Rajasthan that works in the domain of energy governance research and policy. They are one of the organizers of the webinar series and have contributed to setting the context for the discussions.

How does the COVID-19 pandemic influence the discussions on cold storage and agriculture?

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the vulnerabilities in social and economic systems, particularly affecting migrant laborers and the agriculture sector. It has also created an opportunity to initiate action towards inclusion, sustainability, and resilience in these areas, including the need for sustainable agri-infrastructure for storage and processing.

What is the significance of cold storage technology in addressing the agri-crisis mentioned in the script?

Cold storage technology is significant in addressing the agri-crisis as it helps in reducing post-harvest losses, which are estimated to be around 40 percent of the produce in India. Access to sustainable cold storage infrastructure can help farmers store their produce and sell it when market conditions are favorable, thus increasing their income.

What are the challenges faced by the current infrastructure and market designs in terms of marginalizing farmers and increasing carbon footprint?

The current infrastructure and market designs often marginalize farmers by concentrating around trading markets and urban centers, catering primarily to specific produce like potatoes. This not only excludes many farmers but also significantly increases the carbon footprint due to the need for long-distance transportation and the use of non-sustainable practices.

What is the role of technology disruptions in the cold chain, as discussed in the webinar?

Technology disruptions in the cold chain aim to bring about innovations that can add value at the last mile, making cold storage solutions more accessible, efficient, and sustainable for farmers. This includes the development of decentralized cold storage technologies powered by renewable energy sources like solar and biogas.

How do the panelists suggest addressing the challenges in scaling up cold storage technologies?

The panelists suggest addressing challenges by understanding real user needs, improving technology to make it more reliable and easy to maintain, working on policy changes to support decentralized cold storage, and creating awareness among farmers about the benefits of these technologies.

What are the ecological benefits of using water as a Phase Change Material (PCM) in cold storage solutions?

Water as a PCM is ecologically beneficial because it is a natural and abundant resource. It is non-toxic and has a high energy storage capacity, making it an environmentally friendly option for thermal storage in cold storage solutions.

What are some of the policy recommendations discussed by the panelists to support the adoption of decentralized cold storage?

The panelists recommend creating policies that recognize and support a broader range of cold storage sizes, not just large centralized units. They also suggest policies that promote the use of sustainable PCMs and renewable energy sources for powering cold storage, similar to subsidies given to electric vehicles, and improving the transparency and accessibility of subsidies for farmers.

How do the panelists address the issue of maintenance and servicing of cold storage units in remote locations?

The panelists acknowledge the challenge and suggest ensuring that the technology is robust and requires minimal maintenance. They also emphasize the importance of training local technicians to provide support and servicing, as well as developing a strong network for servicing and spare parts distribution.