Extending the shelf-life of vegetables using low cost evaporative cooling systems in Mali

Vegetables are nutrient dense and important sources of micronutrients but postharvest losses in sub-Saharan African range from 20 to 80%

Abstract

Vegetables are nutrient dense and important sources of micronutrients. However, postharvest losses in sub-Saharan African countries range from 20 to 80%. To reduce postharvest vegetables loss, there is a need for affordable and locally available technologies.

The aims of this study were (a) to compare the efficiency of different zero energy cooling chambers (ZECCs) at reducing temperature, maintaining humidity and prolonging shelf-life of stored vegetables, and b) to assess with farming communities in rural Mali, the efficacy and potential for adoption of different clay pot cooling systems.

This article is the result of funding from the World Vegetable Center. The World Vegetable Center is partly funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO)

Citation

Bihon, W., Coulibaly, A., Chagomoka, T., Sanogo, O., Cisse, F., Ognakossan, K.E. and Diouf, O. (2020). Extending the shelf-life of vegetables using low cost evaporative cooling systems in Mali. Acta Hortic. 1275, 419-426. https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2020.1275.58

Extending the shelf-life of vegetables using low cost evaporative cooling systems in Mali

Updates to this page

Published 7 April 2020