Green Bank Innovation (GBI)

Koel Fresh aims to combat climate change by addressing critical challenges: reducing food wastage, preventing distressed sales of perishable goods, and enhancing the livelihoods of vulnerable communities in Odisha, India. Our solution centres around creating a sustainable cold room ecosystem. These ecosystems will preserve perishable produce, extend shelf life, minimise post-harvest losses, enhance livelihood of smallholding farmers and vendors, and empower grassroots-level women entrepreneurs, cooperatives, or federations for long-lasting economic and environmental impact.

Problem Statement:

Odisha, a state vulnerable to extreme weather events, grapples with significant challenges related to food security and climate change. As India’s population grows and agricultural production increases, substantial food losses occur—estimated at 25% to 30% of harvested crops. Despite the reliance on cold storage solutions, Odisha’s cold room facilities face persistent gaps in accessibility, capacity, and efficiency. An estimated 40% to 80% of these cold rooms remain defunct or non-operational due to factors such as limited decentralised storage options, restricted grid power access, high investment requirements, operating costs, suboptimal placement, and a lack of sustainable operating models.

Scale of the Problem:

• Odisha’s net greenhouse gas emissions are disproportionately high, significantly impacting India’s overall carbon footprint.

• The state’s per capita emissions currently stand at 6.15 metric tons of CO₂ equivalent (CO₂e), surpassing the national average of 2.24 tCO₂e.

• Projections indicate a further increase to 6.69 tCO₂e by 2030 and a staggering 31.41 tCO₂e by 2050.

• Remarkably, despite comprising only 3.47% of the country’s population, Odisha contributes about 9.3% of India’s net GHG emissions.

• Across multiple districts in Odisha (including Sundargarh, Ganjam, Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, Bargarh, and Keonjhar), approximately 1 million smallholder farmers are directly or indirectly affected by these environmental challenges

Impact:

By developing or enhancing the cold room ecosystem in Odisha, we aim to significantly reduce these losses, benefiting millions of smallholding farmers, small vendors and their communities. Additionally, by minimising food wastage and distress sales, our solution will contribute to the state's efforts to mitigate climate change and achieve sustainable development goals.Our solution offers a scalable and sustainable approach to mitigating climate change and promoting economic resilience in agricultural regions.

Koel Fresh proposes an integrated model that combines technological and operational innovations to address critical challenges related to food wastage, distressed sales of perishable goods, and livelihood enhancement for vulnerable communities. Here are the key components:

1. Technological Innovations:

• Solarization of Cold Rooms: By harnessing solar energy, cold rooms become more sustainable and independent of the grid. This reduces operating costs and ensures stability even during grid fluctuations.

• Thermal Battery: The inclusion of a thermal battery enhances cold room efficiency, maintaining optimal temperatures for perishable produce.

Ownership Model:

• Empowering Operators: Local government grants ownership of cold rooms and associated infrastructure to women federations (Self Help Groups -SHGs).

• Financial and Technical Support: SHGs receive financial and technical assistance to operate and maintain cold rooms throughout their lifespan.

Investment in Human Capital:

• Capability Building: Extensive training equips SHG members with essential skills to function effectively as owners and entrepreneurs.

• Modules: Training covers technical knowledge, financial management, leadership, and other relevant skill sets.

Diversified Revenue Model:

• Multiple Income Streams: SHGs generate revenue through various channels:

  • Cooling-as-a-Service (CaaS): Cold room stakeholders such as farmers and vendors can use cold rooms on a rental basis.

  • Direct Sales: SHGs sell vegetables, fruits, and value-added products directly through the cold room and attached space.

  • These diversified revenue streams provide financial stability even during low utilisation periods.

Our solution primarily serves small and medium-scale farmers, small vendors, women federations, and consumers in Odisha, India. These stakeholders represent a diverse yet interconnected network within the local agricultural and food supply chain. Currently, they face various challenges and are underserved in terms of access to adequate storage facilities, market opportunities, and economic empowerment. Our solution aims to directly and meaningfully improve their lives by addressing these needs and fostering sustainable development in the region.

1. Small and Medium Farmers:

• Current Situation: Small and medium farmers often struggle with limited access to proper storage facilities for their perishable produce. They face challenges related to post-harvest losses, distress sales, and inadequate income.

• Underserved Needs: These farmers lack affordable and efficient cold storage options. Their livelihoods are vulnerable due to unpredictable market conditions and climate-related risks.

• Solution Impact:

  • Preserving Produce: Installing solar powered cold rooms with a proper ecosystem around it will help farmers preserve their harvests, reducing spoilage and minimising losses.

  • Market Flexibility: With access to cold storage, farmers can choose optimal selling times, avoiding distress sales.

  • Income Stability: By preventing wastage, farmers can generate more income, leading to improved livelihoods.

1. Small Vendors:

• Current Situation: Small vendors, such as local vegetable sellers and street food vendors, lack reliable storage facilities. They often face challenges in maintaining product quality and freshness.

• Underserved Needs: Affordable and accessible cold storage options are scarce for small vendors. Their businesses suffer due to limited shelf life and quality deterioration.

• Solution Impact:

  • Quality Assurance: Installing solar powered cold rooms with a proper ecosystem around it ensures that small vendors can store their perishable goods effectively, maintaining freshness.

  • Extended Selling Periods: Longer shelf life allows vendors to sell their products over an extended period, reducing waste.

  • Business Viability: Improved product quality attracts more customers, enhancing the viability of small vendors’ businesses.

1. Women Federations:

• Current Situation: Women-led cooperatives or federations often lack economic empowerment opportunities. They face barriers in accessing technology and business ownership.

• Underserved Needs: These women need sustainable income sources and skill development to thrive as entrepreneurs.

• Solution Impact:

  • Empowerment: Our model allows women federations to maintain and operate these cold rooms. They become entrepreneurs, managing and operating these facilities.

  • Skill Enhancement: Comprehensive training equips women with technical, financial, and leadership skills, fostering self-reliance.

  • Community Impact: Women-led enterprises contribute to community development and gender equality.

1. Consumers:

• Current Situation: Consumers often face challenges related to food safety, quality, and availability. Seasonal variations impact the availability of fresh produce.

• Underserved Needs: Consumers seek reliable access to fresh, nutritious food throughout the year.

• Solution Impact:

  • Quality Assurance: We ensure that consumers receive high-quality, safe produce.

  • Year-Round Availability: Cold storage extends the availability of seasonal fruits and vegetables, benefiting consumers.

  • Healthier Choices: Access to fresh produce encourages healthier eating habits.

Koel Fresh is uniquely positioned to deliver this solution due to our deep understanding of the communities we serve, our team's diverse skill sets, and our commitment to collaborative development.

1. Deep Community Ties:

   1. Local Roots: Our team members come from various regions across Odisha, with extensive experience working with farmers, Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), and women's federations. This proximity fosters a strong understanding of their challenges and needs.

   2. Cultural Understanding: Our team speaks the local dialects and possesses a deep appreciation for the culture of these communities. This allows for effective communication and builds trust during outreach and project implementation.

   3. Extensive Network: Koel Fresh members have a strong existing outreach to farmers' groups, FPOs, and women's federations across Odisha. This network serves as a crucial foundation for community engagement and project dissemination.

2. Collaborative Design and Implementation:

   1. Community Input: We prioritise community participation throughout the project lifecycle.

• We conduct workshops and consultations with farmers, vendors, and SHGs at the initial design stage to understand their specific needs and preferences.

• Feedback from these groups informs the design and location of cold rooms, as well as the training modules provided to SHGs.

1. Ongoing Engagement: We maintain open communication channels with communities throughout implementation and operation. This allows for continuous feedback and adaptation of the cold room ecosystem model to ensure it remains responsive to community needs.

1. Team Strengths for Success:

   1. Diverse Expertise: Our team combines technical knowledge in cold chain solutions, agricultural practices, and social enterprise development.

   2. Community Champions: Several team members have a background in community work and social development, bringing valuable experience in community mobilisation and capacity building.

   3. Passionate Leadership: Our team lead is deeply committed to empowering rural communities and fostering sustainable agricultural practices in Odisha.

2. Beyond Expertise:

We recognize that successful implementation depends on trust and a genuine partnership with the communities we serve. Our team's cultural understanding and dedication to collaborative design ensure that the cold room ecosystem becomes a community-owned solution, meeting their specific needs and driving long-term sustainability.

By leveraging our deep community ties, collaborative approach, and diverse skill sets, Koel Fresh is well-equipped to design, implement, and manage a successful cold room ecosystem that empowers communities in Odisha.

Koel Fresh is building upon the success of the Rourkela Cold Rooms project, an initiative that established and operated solar-powered cold rooms in Rourkela, Odisha. This project serves as a strong foundation for our proposed cold room ecosystem expansion.

What We've Achieved:

• Community Engagement: The project successfully engaged five Self-Help Groups (SHGs) comprising 30 women members from low-income backgrounds. This fostered community ownership and empowered women to participate in the project's operation.

• Reduced Food Waste: Early data indicates a significant 31% reduction in wasted produce. This translates to lower losses for farmers and vendors, contributing to improved food security in the region.

• Improved Market Conditions: Distressed selling of perishable commodities has seen a remarkable 78% reduction. This suggests a positive impact on market dynamics, allowing farmers to sell their produce at better prices.

• Enhanced Farmer Income: Farmers have experienced a 31% increase in income, demonstrating the project's effectiveness in boosting their economic well-being.

• Environmental Sustainability: The project contributes to environmental responsibility by achieving an average reduction of 3,000 kg of carbon emissions per month across two sites. This likely results from decreased transportation needs and improved storage efficiency.

• Empowering Women: Early data reveals a remarkable 100% increase in income for SHG groups and members. This highlights the project's success in enhancing not just the livelihoods of farmers and vendors but also the socio-economic status of women within the communities.

Key Learnings:

The Rourkela project provided valuable insights that inform the design and scaling-up of our cold room ecosystem:

• Community Collaboration: Direct engagement with communities is crucial for understanding needs, ensuring project ownership, and fostering long-term sustainability.

• Women's Empowerment: SHG involvement has proven highly successful. We will continue to prioritise women's leadership and capacity building.

• Measurable Impact: Tracking key metrics like reduced food waste, increased income, and carbon emission reduction allows us to assess the project's effectiveness and optimise future iterations.

By building upon these successes and incorporating valuable lessons learned, Koel Fresh is confident in replicating and scaling the positive impact of the Rourkela Cold Rooms project across Odisha.

Koel Fresh is applying to Solve not just for financial support, but to leverage the program's unique platform for collaboration, knowledge sharing, and access to a network of experts who can empower us to overcome key barriers as we scale our cold room ecosystem initiative.

Barriers to Scaling:

• Financial Constraints: Access to capital for expanding the cold room network across a geographically diverse state like Odisha is a significant challenge.

• Technical Expertise: While we have a strong core team, scaling requires access to expertise in areas like cold chain design optimization, grid integration, and large-scale solar power implementation.

• Market Expansion: Replicating the pilot project's success across various regions requires analysing market dynamics, identifying optimal locations, and building trust with new communities.

How Solve Can Help:

• Networking with Key Stakeholders: Solve can connect us with potential investors, grant providers, and impact-driven organisations that align with our mission. This allows us to diversify our funding sources and accelerate our expansion plans.

• Technical Support: Participation in Solve can provide access to technical experts and mentors who can advise on cold chain technology optimization, renewable energy integration, and large-scale project management.

• Market Expansion Strategies: The Solve program connects us with experienced entrepreneurs and market development professionals who can help us analyse market dynamics, identify promising locations for expansion, and develop strategies for replicating our success across Odisha.

Beyond Overcoming Barriers:

• Collaboration with Nonprofits: Solve can help collaboration with nonprofits that can provide valuable ground data and local networks. This would lead to a deeper understanding of community needs, allowing us to customise our cold room solutions for maximum impact.

• Pilot Projects and Learning: Collaboration with nonprofits can also pave the way for piloting new aspects of our solution, like value addition services, further informing future scaling efforts.

• Joint Impact with Businesses: Solve can facilitate partnerships with companies whose products, services, or solutions could complement our cold room ecosystem. This could involve piloting integrated solutions or collaborating on joint research and development projects.

• Scaling Collaborative Solutions: Through Solve's network, we can connect with potential business partners whose solutions can be integrated into our model, leading to a wider impact on the communities we serve.

Koel Fresh's cold room ecosystem goes beyond simply providing cold storage. It offers a novel and impactful approach to address food waste, empower communities, and promote sustainable practices in the agricultural sector of Odisha.

Innovation Through Sustainability:

• Financial Independence: Unlike traditional models reliant on external management, our solution focuses on SHG ownership. We empower SHGs through capacity building, enabling them to operate the cold rooms profitably. This financial sustainability ensures long-term viability and eliminates dependence on external entities.

Data-Driven Impact:

• Measuring Success: We go beyond anecdotal evidence. We conduct surveys and collect data to rigorously evaluate the impact of our cold room ecosystem on SHG and farmer income. This data-driven approach allows us to measure the project's effectiveness and make informed adjustments for continuous improvement.

Scalability and Replication:

• Modular Design: Our ecosystem is built on modular, indigenously developed packages that have been thoroughly tested and proven successful in the Rourkela project. This modularity allows for easy replication and adaptation to diverse needs across different regions in Odisha.

• Scaling Up: We are currently doing similar projects in Bargarh and Ganjam district in collaboration with their district administration. This project serves as a stepping stone for large-scale expansion across the state.

A Holistic Approach:

• Technology, Economy, and Social Impact: Koel Fresh integrates technological innovations like solar-powered cold rooms with economic empowerment through SHG ownership and social impact through community engagement. This holistic approach addresses various aspects of the food supply chain, leading to a more sustainable and equitable system.

Catalysing Change:

By combining these innovative elements, Koel Fresh aims to:

• Inspire Replication: Our successful model can inspire other organisations to adopt similar SHG-ownership structures for cold chain solutions, leading to a broader positive impact on the national food supply chain.

• Shift Market Landscape: The success of our ecosystem can encourage policy changes and investments in sustainable cold chain infrastructure, potentially transforming the market landscape for agricultural storage solutions in India.

• Promote Community Ownership: Our model empowers communities by placing ownership and decision-making power in the hands of SHGs, fostering a sense of self-reliance and long-term sustainability.

Koel Fresh's cold room ecosystem is more than just a storage solution; it's a catalyst for change, empowering communities, minimising food waste, and promoting sustainable practices that can be replicated across India and beyond.

Koel Fresh is committed to creating a measurable and transformative impact on the lives of communities in Odisha. Our impact goals are centred around three core areas:

1. Reducing Food Waste:

Goal: Achieve a 50% reduction in food waste among farmers and vendors who utilise our cold room ecosystem within 3 years.

Measurement: We track pre and post-implementation data on produce spoilage rates at the farm and vendor level. This data is collected through surveys and wastage monitoring procedures.

2. Empowering Communities:

Goal: Increase the average monthly income of SHG members involved in cold room operations by 100% within 3 years.

Measurement: We monitor the monthly income generated by SHGs through cold room rentals and direct sales. SHG representatives are trained on basic bookkeeping practices to ensure accurate data collection.

3. Promoting Sustainability:

Goal: Reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 20% through the adoption of solar-powered cold rooms within 3 years.

Beyond these core goals, we track additional indicators to comprehensively assess our impact:

• Increase in Farmer Income: We monitor changes in average farmer income through surveys before and after project implementation.

• Reduction in Distressed Sales: We track the number of instances where farmers are forced to sell produce at low prices due to lack of storage options.

• Improved Market Access: We monitor the diversity and availability of fresh produce offered by vendors utilizing our cold rooms.

• Community Satisfaction: Regular surveys and focus group discussions assess the overall satisfaction level of SHGs, farmers, and vendors with the cold room ecosystem.

Data-Driven Decision Making:

• The collected data is analyzed regularly to assess progress towards our goals.

• We utilize this data to identify areas for improvement and adapt our approach to maximize impact.

• We are committed to transparency and share our impact data publicly through annual reports and online platforms.

By setting clear goals, employing rigorous measurement practices, and fostering collaboration, Koel Fresh strives to demonstrate the transformative impact of our cold room ecosystem on communities, food security, and environmental sustainability in Odisha. Our commitment to data-driven decision making allows us to continuously refine our approach and ensure long-term success in empowering communities and creating a more sustainable future.

Koel Fresh's cold room ecosystem leverages a combination of modern technology and traditional knowledge systems to create a powerful solution for reducing food waste, empowering communities, and promoting environmental sustainability.

Core Technologies:

1. Solar-Powered Cold Rooms:

• Technology: We utilise solar panels as the primary source of energy for our cold rooms, reducing reliance on the grid and minimising operational costs.

• Impact: This approach promotes environmental sustainability by utilising renewable energy and reducing greenhouse gas emissions compared to traditional grid-dependent cold storage facilities.

2. Thermal Storage:

• Technology: We integrate thermal storage units with our cold rooms. These units store excess solar energy generated during the day, ensuring consistent temperature control even during power outages or periods of low sunlight.

• Impact: Thermal storage ensures reliable temperature control, minimising food spoilage and product loss for farmers and vendors.

3. Digitalization for Empowerment:

• Technology: We utilise the "Coldtivate" app, a user-friendly mobile application designed specifically for our project.

• Impact:

  • Inventory Management: The app allows SHG members to manage cold room inventory efficiently, track product usage, and optimise storage space.

  • Shelf-Life Prediction: The app leverages data science modelling to predict the shelf life of various fruits and vegetables stored in the cold rooms. This allows SHGs to optimise storage practices and minimise spoilage.

  • Market Information: The app can potentially integrate with market information systems in the future, providing SHGs with real-time data on market prices and allowing them to make informed decisions about selling their produce.

Traditional Knowledge for Sustainability:

• Community Engagement: We actively engage with local communities and leverage their traditional knowledge of harvesting practices, crop selection, and indigenous storage techniques. This knowledge informs our training modules for SHGs and helps them optimise storage procedures within the cold rooms.

• Waste Reduction: We work with communities to explore traditional food preservation techniques that can complement cold storage. This can involve drying fruits and vegetables or creating value-added products, further reducing waste and maximising the use of produce.

Synergy for Impact:

Koel Fresh's approach goes beyond just technology. We believe in the power of combining modern innovations with the wisdom of traditional knowledge systems. This synergy fosters a holistic solution that is:

• Sustainable: By using renewable energy and promoting efficient resource utilisation, we minimise our environmental footprint.

• Empowering: Our technology empowers SHGs with the tools and knowledge they need to efficiently manage cold rooms and improve their livelihoods.

• Adaptable: By integrating traditional knowledge, we ensure our solution is responsive to local needs and cultural practices.

Looking Forward:

We are constantly exploring new technologies that can further enhance our cold room ecosystem. Potential areas for future exploration include:

• Internet of Things (IoT) sensors for real-time temperature monitoring and remote control of cold rooms.

• Blockchain technology to ensure transparency and traceability within the cold chain.

Koel Fresh's innovative approach, combining technology, tradition, and community engagement, creates a powerful solution for a more sustainable and equitable food system in Odisha.

Full time: 18 

Part time: 5

Contractor: 6 

Intern/ apprentice: 2

3 years

Our team boasts a rich tapestry of backgrounds, encompassing diverse socioeconomic experiences, educational qualifications, and professional expertise. The leadership team itself reflects this variety, with members holding experience in IT, human resource management, manufacturing and processing, clean & sustainable energy, and finance/accounting. This commitment to diversity extends to the executive team, which leverages the talents of professionals from social work, clean energy, women's federations, technical fields, supply chain management, programming, IT, and other relevant areas. Fostering Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I) is not just a motto; it's a core value woven into the fabric of our organisation. To achieve our DE&I goals, we actively pursue a variety of initiatives, including:

• Unbiased Recruitment Practices: We utilise blind resume reviews and diverse interview panels to mitigate unconscious bias and ensure selection based on merit.

• Professional Development Programs: We offer ongoing training opportunities that cater to different learning styles and career aspirations, empowering all team members to reach their full potential.

• Capacity building (Samarth/समर्थ): Capacity building sessions are conducted on a weekly basis for all the members irrespective of their seniority levels and ability. It promotes an environment of interaction among all members and sharing of views and thought processes.

• Innovation (Avishkar/आविष्कार): Similarly on a weekly basis, a session on innovation is conducted to ignite the thought process of all members in the direction of innovation. We always get new ideas and suggestions from our members for different strategies and activities.

• Solution (Samadhan/समाधान): One more weekly session which we regularly conduct is Samadhan, where we listen to all of the members about their problems and strategize actions to solve them from a grassroot level. 

• Regular DE&I Audits: We conduct periodic assessments of our policies and practices to identify areas for improvement and stay accountable to our DE&I commitment.

By implementing these and other initiatives, we strive to create a truly inclusive work environment where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to contribute their unique perspectives and talents.

We support multiple business models.

1. CAPEX, Lease model and cooling as a service ( pay per use)
recovery. Customers: FPOs, Government Departments, and Private enterprises.
2. BOOT Model
a. LEASE MODEL, system is rented to beneficiaries on a monthly basis. Customers:  FPOs, Private enterprises, groups of farmers, and Farmer interest groups.
b. PAY-PER-USE MODEL, system is available to beneficiaries to use as per need and pay as per the quantity of commodities kept. Customers: FPOs, Private enterprises, groups of farmers, Farmer interest groups, and Smallholding farmers.
c. SUBSCRIPTION MODEL, services of the system are made available to beneficiaries on a concurrent basis. Customer: Farmers, FPOs, Private enterprises, and groups of farmers

Income Streams:

• Farmers: There are 500 farmers who are expected to benefit from the project. Each farmer receives an estimated benefit of Rs. 1500 per month.

• SHGs (Self Help Groups): There are 5 SHGs involved in the project. Each SHG earns an estimated Rs. 100,000 per month.

• Environmental Benefit: The project is estimated to generate an environmental benefit of Rs. 1.6 lacs per year.

Calculations:

• Monthly Income from Farmers: 500 farmers * Rs. 1500/month = Rs. 7,50,000/month

• Annual Income from Farmers: Rs. 7,50,000/month * 12 months = Rs. 90,00,000/year (or Rs. 90 lacs/year)

• Annual Income from SHGs: 5 SHGs * Rs. 1,00,000/month/SHG * 12 months = Rs. 60,00,000/year (or Rs. 60 lacs/year)

• Total Annual Income (excluding Environment): Rs. 90,00,000 + Rs. 60,00,000 = Rs. 1,50,00,000 (or Rs. 1.5 crore/year)

Total Income over 5 years:

• The total income for the project over 5 years is estimated to be Rs. 1.5 crore/year * 5 years = Rs. 7.5 crore (or approximately USD 1 million based on the current exchange rate).

Environmental Benefit:

• The text mentions an environmental benefit of Rs. 1.6 lacs per year. However, it's unclear how this benefit is calculated and what it represents. It might be the monetary value associated with reduced carbon emissions or other environmental improvements.

Overall:

This passage suggests that the project has the potential to generate significant income for farmers and SHGs involved, while also providing some environmental benefits. The total estimated income over 5 years translates to roughly USD 1 million based on the current exchange rate.