In the markets of Rourkela in eastern India, farmers once faced heartbreaking losses as heat spoiled unsold fruits and vegetables. Now, a low-cost solution is cutting food wastage and boosting their income.Solar-powered mini cold rooms are helping small-scale farmers and the local women who operate them.

The cold storage solution runs on renewable energy, ensuring reliability even during power outages. The pilot project was launched by Rourkela Municipal Corporation with the help of UNDP and Bloomberg Philanthropies.

With extreme weather linked to climate change affecting land usage, food security projects like this are vital.