New low-cost cold storage tech aims to cut farm produce losses

DOST pilot project targets better post-harvest handling for farmers.

A low-cost cold storage system for fruits and vegetables could help close long-standing weaknesses in post-harvest handling, potentially reducing farmers’ losses after harvest.

Experimental trials by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) are currently being conducted at Central Luzon State University, using a CoolBot-controlled facility designed by the University of the Philippines Los Baños.

Turning window AC into industrial AC

The CoolBot system is a more affordable alternative to traditional cold storage. It uses a controller to maximize an air-conditioning unit’s cooling efficiency without freezing its coils or increasing energy consumption.

Initial tests on crops like bitter gourd and eggplant aim to extend shelf life and reduce spoilage, helping farmers store produce longer, sell at better prices, and cut down on waste across the supply chain.

The kinks in the system

However, the testing setup has raised technical questions, including the use of sealed plastic bags, floor placement of produce, and tight storage arrangements that could affect airflow, sanitation, and moisture buildup inside the cooling system.

The DOST said a cost-benefit analysis is underway to determine the project’s potential for mass market production.

 

 

Can a standard air conditioner save the Philippine farm industry? DOST pilots a low-cost ‘CoolBot’ storage system in Nueva Ecija.