University students create innovation to reduce farm produce spoilage

The innovation is being incubated at the Center of Excellence based at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) under the PAUSTI Incubation Centre of Excellence.

Zero Box technology is a smart preservation technology

One of the brains behind the Zero Box innovation, Kate Obaya, said, “Post-harvest losses make it hard to achieve sustainable development goals on agriculture. Local retailers have faced challenges of their produce spoiling.”

The Zero Box has a refrigeration system and uses biotechnology. It helps extend shelf life of goods.

It helps retailers monitor their produce remotely or in person.

The box can be powered via solar power and electricity.

“We have been at the forefront of fostering research. The center will help align resources to accomplish world class performance,” JKUAT’s Prof Hellen Mberia said on behalf of the Vice Chancellor.