SARTHI: New Solar-Powered Truck to Keep Fruits and Vegetables Fresh in India
The National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management, Kundli, has developed an innovative transportation system called SARTHI. This Solar Assisted Reefer Transportation system is being showcased at the 3rd edition of World Food India 2024 at Bharat Mandapam in Delhi.
What is SARTHI?
SARTHI is designed to reduce the spoilage of fruits and vegetables during transportation. It features dual compartments that can store produce at different temperatures, ranging from 0-5°C in one compartment and 7-12°C in the other. One compartment can even reach -10°C if needed.
How Does It Work?
The system uses sensors to monitor temperature, humidity, ethylene, and carbon dioxide levels. This data is sent to the cloud via IoT and can be accessed through a mobile app. This allows for real-time monitoring and better decision-making regarding the quality of the produce.
Energy Efficiency
SARTHI is equipped with a unique refrigeration unit that can run on both engine power and standard 220V AC power. Additionally, a solar PV system on the rooftop helps run the air handling unit fans during short halts, making the system energy-efficient.
Benefits
This innovative system helps maintain the quality of perishable goods, reduces nutritional loss, and minimizes energy wastage. It ensures that only fresh produce reaches the market, thereby reducing the carbon footprint and improving post-harvest management.
Doubts Revealed
SARTHI -: SARTHI is the name of a new type of truck that uses solar power to keep fruits and vegetables fresh while they are being transported.
Solar-Powered -: Solar-powered means that the truck uses energy from the sun to work, instead of using petrol or diesel.
National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management, Kundli -: This is a special school in India where people learn about food technology and how to start food-related businesses. It is located in a place called Kundli.
Reefer Transportation system -: A reefer transportation system is a type of truck that has a cooling system to keep things like fruits and vegetables cold while they are being moved from one place to another.
World Food India 2024 -: World Food India 2024 is a big event in Delhi where people from all over the world come to see new ideas and technologies related to food.
Post-harvest losses -: Post-harvest losses are the fruits and vegetables that go bad and cannot be eaten after they are picked from the farm but before they reach the market.
Dual compartments -: Dual compartments mean that the truck has two separate sections, each with its own temperature setting to keep different types of fruits and vegetables fresh.
IoT integration -: IoT integration means that the truck uses the internet to send information about the temperature and condition of the fruits and vegetables to a computer or smartphone in real-time.
Solar PV system -: A solar PV system is a setup that uses solar panels to capture sunlight and turn it into electricity to power the truck.
Perishable goods -: Perishable goods are items like fruits and vegetables that can spoil or go bad if they are not kept at the right temperature.