Mobile post-harvest services enhance women farmer’s autonomy and resilience

FreshLine Post Harvest Solutions

Honoree

Representative Name: Wisdom T. Boadu

Year: 2023

Country:

Ghana

Topics:

Circular EconomyEnergy TransitionWaste Management

Region:

Anglophone Africa

About

This climate conscious start-up enhances small-holder farmers’ income in Ghana by reducing post-harvest losses and energy costs while improving market access. It provides pay-per-use, mobile, solar-powered refrigeration and product processing services – damaged fruits and vegetables are turned into powder or chips. By providing first-mile services, FreshLine responds to rural women’s mobility constraints and provides them with enhanced revenue opportunities via value-added foods. The enterprise offers targeted training for women on post-harvest management and product processing. It promotes renewable energy and reduces food waste, thus improving farmer’s resilience and food security in the Ashanti and Bono East regions.

Climate impact

  • Minimizes food waste thanks to decentralized cold storage.
  • Reduces emissions from decomposing food and fossil fuel-powered processing equipment.
  • Promotes safe renewable energy through solar-powered cold storage and processing facilities.

Gender impact

  • Engages with women in the design phase.
  • Enhanced access to solar equipment and training programs for post-harvest management, food processing, and entrepreneurship.
  • Income from sale ensures women’s economic empowerment.

Scalability/replicability

  • Partnering with community and women empowerment groups, NGOs, schools to create community gardens.
  • Educational activities and exchange of good practices involve over 15,000 beneficiaries in the community gardens.