ECHO noted the use of clay pot coolers over 20 years ago and we have a collection in ECHOcommunity with several resources.
Clay Pot Cooler (Zeer Pot) | ECHOcommunity.org
Are any network members currently using this technology to extend the shelf life of produce? What experience can you share with others?
This is great Steve! We used a similar clay pot system for storing and cooling water in West Africa.
Hi,
My organization CoolVeg has a training program focused on clay pot coolers, both the pot-in-pot/Zeer pot design, as well as clay pot-in-dish designs, which are easier to make with locally available materials.
We have trained over 8,000 people in Mali and Niger in collaboration with NGOs, government agencies, and community groups. An estimated 35,000 households are now using clay pot coolers due to our program, enabled by word-of-mouth dissemination within communities, and clay potters selling the devices from their shops.
You can read about this program at: https://www.coolveg.org/clay-pot-coolers
There are a few reports summarizing program activities and impact, as well as copies of our clay pot cooler training guide in eight languages.
The key aspects of our training program that make it successful include the simpler pot in dish design, as well as having a training program that creates both supply and demand for the technology by training a wide range of stakeholders, including clay potters farmers, vegetable vendors, and households.
Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions or are interested in collaborating.
Thanks,
Eric