RuKart deploys 2,500+ non-electric evaporative coolers across 24 Indian states to cut produce losses

Since October 2019, more than 2,500 units of RuKart's Subjee Cooler and ZEN cooling systems have been installed across 24 Indian states, targeting small farmers, vegetable retailers, and farmer-producer organisations that cannot justify the cost of conventional cold storage. The company, co-founded by Vikash Jha and Sharayu Kulkarni, reports an average reduction of 17–22% in produce losses across its installations, with results varying by crop, local conditions, and unit usage.

How the cooling works

The systems are built around Enhanced Evaporative Cooling, a principle Jha developed during his time at IIT Bombay. Rather than relying on a compressor and refrigerant, the units use passive cooling processes to maintain temperatures below ambient conditions. No electricity or mechanical refrigeration is required. Water is the only input, and approximately 80% of it can be collected and reused; a 100-kg model consumes around 1,050 litres of water annually. Both Subjee Cooler and ZEN are patented.

Reported impact

RuKart states that the income figures below are based on independent third-party impact assessments. Retailers using the technology have seen income increases of roughly ₹500–1,000 per day, while farmers report gains of approximately 30–50%. The extended storage window allows operators to hold produce longer rather than sell quickly or risk losing stock, Kulkarni notes.

Product range and deployment

The catalogue covers several points in the supply chain:

• Smaller units for retail outlets and households
• Portable models for on-farm storage and pre-cooling
• A customised mobile version for transport

Users include the Sahaja Organic Farmer Producer Organization, Organic Mandya, and individual farmers and retailers. For farmer-producer organisations the units offer a way to hold produce before collection or dispatch; for retailers they provide storage close to the point of sale without a conventional refrigerated room.

An alternative, not a replacement

Jha is clear that the systems are not designed to replace conventional cold storage in every application. Exporters, pack-houses, and distributors handling large volumes, long-distance shipments, or produce requiring tightly controlled temperatures will still need infrastructure suited to those demands. The cooling systems are sold as a one-time investment with no ongoing electricity costs or compressor-related maintenance. Their suitability depends on the temperature and storage duration required for each crop as well as ambient conditions, and operating temperatures should be assessed against the needs of the produce being handled.

Company goal

RuKart aims to reduce post-harvest losses in dairy, flowers, fruits, and vegetables in the developing world to below 5% by 2030. For now, the focus is on giving smaller farmers and retailers a more affordable way to store fresh produce for longer, the founders say.

For more information:

Vikash Jha & Sharayu Kulkarni RuKart Tel: +91 90 28 008 261 Email: [email protected] https://rukart.co