The project addresses the critical issue of post-harvest vegetable loss, with approximately 40% of vegetables wasted annually in Tanzania alone. This leads to losses of over $100 million each year for farmers, particularly impacting women vendors who represent a significant portion of the agricultural market. Poor storage and transportation methods contribute to this problem, resulting in financial losses, food insecurity, and environmental damage. By tackling this issue, the project aims to reduce waste, increase income for vendors, and contribute to a more sustainable food supply chain.
The project focuses on reducing post-harvest vegetable loss in Tanzania, where approximately 40% of produce is wasted each year, resulting in over $100 million in losses. By implementing smart fabric technology, we can extend the shelf life of vegetables by up to three times, reducing spoilage and waste.
Our approach will target 1,000 farmers in the first year, aiming to reduce their post-harvest losses by 50%. This will translate to a potential savings of $2 million for these farmers annually. The project will also improve food security by ensuring that more produce reaches consumers, benefiting 5,000 vendors, particularly women, who will see a 30% increase in income due to reduced losses.
Through this technology, we expect to prevent over 2,000 tons of vegetables from going to waste in the first year, contributing to a 10% reduction in the environmental footprint of vegetable production in the region. By scaling this solution, we aim to support 10,000 farmers and vendors across Tanzania within five years, significantly impacting both the economy and the environment.
