Assessment for Cold Chain Investments to address Postharvest Losses in Sri Lanka 

Year:  2025

Location:  Sri Lanka                                               

Client:  World bank / WFBR

Main project features: 

Rapid Assessment Methodology application to determine the current consumption of perishables (F&V, meat, dairy, fish), country-wide and which part of that needs cooling. Based on demographic developments, market demand, organised retail, export potential and food safety legislation enforcement. This information serves as a starting point to determine in which (part of) sectors, investments in cooling capacity are most effective and this where and how interventions should be designed.

Myths and facts in the agricultural sector in LMICs. (Incorrect) assumptions as a basis for agricultural intervention projects  

 Year:  2025 (under way)

Location:  Wageningen, Netherlands                       

Client:  WFBR

Main project features:

Desk study report on myths and facts in agriculture. As decisions for interventions in the agricultural sector are sometimes based on myths, rather than on facts, the outcome is often disappointing. This study gives decision makers the opportunity to check if their assumptions are based on facts or need to be adapted to achieve better results. (e.g. on food security, FLW, type of farmers and their potential to feed the cities, energy, environmental impact etc)

Postharvest vegetable handling course

Year:  2024

Location:  Agadir, Morocco                                     

Client:  Complex Horticultural D'agadir

Main project features:

5-day training course of master students on all aspects of postharvest handling of fruits and vegetables (including Temperature- RH-& time management, hygiene, quality and consistency, grading, packing, storage, shipment)

Sourcing plan for Modjo Cool Port with rail connection to Djibouti port for reefer shipments of fruits, vegetables and flowers to EU and middle East

Year:  2024-2025

Location:  Addis, Mojo and all regions, Ethiopia       

Client:  Netherlands Ministry of Agriculture, Ethiopian Maritime Authority

Main project features: 

Mapping potential in the regions, preliminary design of logistical infrastructure required to tap on this potential (CCs, packhouses, cooling, cooled transport). Focus on selection criteria enabeling the realisation of a smooth start-up phase, sufficient volumes and limited risks. Plus focus on pull-business models 

Development of a Postharvest Assessment Methodology (PHAM) 

Year: 2022- 2023

Location: Wageningen,Netherlands

Client: WFBR

Main project features: 

Methodology development for a standardised thorough assessment of planned interventions with specific aim to avoid ‘White Elephants’ (Underused interventions)

Including alternatives to cooling (ambient chain, irrigation, supply from other regions etc). Including enabeling environment (legislation, financing, input supply etc.). Including measures to influence results (e.g. CSR   requirements for financing)

Estimation of total cold chain requirements per sector in near future and current situation.

Year: 2023-2024

Location: Guatemala, Argentina (BsAs, Córdoba, Mendoza)

Client: ESMAP / World Bank

Main project features: 

Assessment of intervention needs in sugar snaps/ beans, papaya (export) and tomato, poultry and dairy (local market) in Guatemala together with local partner Universidad del Valle

Assessment of intervention needs in cherries (export) , potato and lettuce (local market) in Argentina together with local partner Agrivalue

Pre-feasibility calculations to determine feasible cooling units and extrapolation to country investment requirements

General outline for the design of a packhouse and innovation hub for pineapples in Surinam

Year: 2023

Location: Matta, Paramaribo, Surinam

Client: FAO

Main project features: 

Sourcing model including collection centers, for local pineapple varieties grown by indigenous farmers in several regions of Surinam, organized in cooperative structure. Determination of preferred location for a central packhouse. 

Packhouse design based on production flows for fresh pineapples for export and local market and processing (dried, fresh cuts, frozen pulp). Risk assessment, Calculation of investment costs and operational costs. HACCP system 

Haiti fruit export by smallholders

Year:  2017 – 2020

Location:  Port au Prince, Artibonite and Centre,Haiti

Client:  Ministry of Economy and Finance / World Bank  

Main project features: 

Development of detailed Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for all handling of mango and avocado between harvest and supply in final destination based on which Blockchain (DLT) technology was developed that enabled payment of chain partners via automated smart contracts. Advise on changing role of traders into Service Provider.

Maharashtra fruit export potential Project

Year:  2024

Location:  Maharashtra, India

Client:  KPMG / ADB 

Main project features: 

Development of Standard Operation Procedures (SOPs) for banana, pomegranate and green chilli plus export simulation trials to evaluate shelf-life. The SOPs also reveal gaps in necessary infrastructure to meet the handling requirements

Developing Export-competitiveness of selected horticultural crops in Bangladesh

Year:  2023 -2024                                                   

Location:  Dhaka, Bangladesh

Client: Ministry of Agriculture, Government of Bangladesh 

Main project features: 

Development of Standard Operation Procedures (SOPs) for mango, guava and jackfruit (yellow and green) plus export simulation trials to determine reachable shelf-life. The SOPs also reveal gaps in necessary infrastructure to meet the handling requirements, including location, capacities and design of handling and cooling facilities

Business models for agriculture report

Year: 2023- 2024

Location: Wageningen and Kigali, Rwanda

Client: ACES (New Centre for Sustainable Cooling)

Main project features:

Description of different business models in agriculture and the effect of choosing a correct model under different circumstances. Differences between push- and push models

UAE local vegetable chain improvement/ Development FLW measuring tool

Year: 2022 - 2024

Location: Abu Dhabi, UAE

Client: Silal, ADAFSA, Khalifa University

Main project features: 

Assessment of current status of postharvest handling of locally grown fruits and vegetables. Time and temperature management, logistical infrastructure including Collection Centres, Packhouses and DCs. 

Rapid Food Loss Measurement Tool: Food loss measurement determining location and percentage in the value chain plus the cause, as a basis for intervention and improvement measures.

Himachal Pradesh Horticulture Development Project 

Year:  2019                                                            

Location:  Himachal Pradesh, India                         

Client:  Himachal Pradesh / World bank                       

Main project features: 

Establishment of a robust and state of art supply chain infrastructure. Set up of modern packing houses, CA and cold stores. For apple storing and marketing. Build capacity of the staff, farmers and other stakeholders to operate and manage the post-harvest facilities. Recommendations for changes in the existing operational management   

Business planning for potato storage and potato processing into Frech fries

Year:  2020

Location:  Nairobi, Nakuro, Kenya

Client:  SNV 

Main project features: 

Development of a business plan and business calculations for potato storage and Fresh French fries processing, based on which commercial financing can be obtained for investing in a 500 MT modern potato storage facility that enables the industry to produce fries of consistent quality and quantities.

Development of a HACCP plan for the processing facility

Large scale onion and potato cultivation in Senegal

Year:  2017                                                             

Location:  Dakar, Richard Toll, Senegal                    

Client:  Private investor                                            

Main project features:                                              

Development of a business plan  and business calculations for the supply of the Senegal- and West Africa market with onions, potatoes, Gradual substitution of imports by local production. Large scale production of potatoes and onions for the local market. Optimum location selection criteria development (for the farm), based on climate, water quality and availability, land (size and condition) availability, social acceptance of the agricultural activities by the  local population etc. Cultivation under Center Pivot irrigation. Including rotation crops. Medium term bulk storage