Performance Evaluation of Zero Energy Cool Chamber in Hilly Region

Study was conducted to evaluate performance of IARI design Zero Energy Cool Chamber (ZECC) at ICAR Research Complex, Umiam, Meghalaya. The ZECC was evaluated for two consecutive years and shelf life of various fruits and vegetables like bittergourd, capsicum, tomato, cauliflower, pineapple and peach was evaluated under cool chamber and ordinary room condition. It was observed that the mean maximum temperature inside the cool chamber was about 5°C and 6°C lower than the ambient during summer and winter season, respectively. Throughout the year, relative humidity (RH) inside the cool chamber was between 80–94%, whereas under the ambient it varies between 70–83%. The RH inside the cool chamber was nearly 13.34% and 12.34% higher during summer and winter months, respectively. It was observed that the shelflife of bitter gourd, capsicum, and cauliflower could be increased for 5 days whereas; the shelflife of tomato and peach and pineapple can be increased for about 6 and 9 days respectively, when it is kept inside the cool chamber as compared to ordinary room condition. Since it costs only about Rs.2500/- and can be easily constructed in the rural areas even by a layman, the fruits and vegetables growers can use it for short duration storage of horticultural produce.