GHANA INNOVATION FARM: MANNI GROUP AND YAC WITH THE PATRONAGE OF SACE, Global Cold Chain Alliance AND FONDAZIONE PROMOZIONE ACCIAIO LAUNCH A CONTEST OF IDEAS TO CREATE AN HUB IN AFRICA AIMED AT IMPROVING THE HARVEST FIRST MILE MANAGEMENT

It is estimated that over 33% of the food produced is wasted. This generates huge emissions, energy losses and missed opportunities. While in Europe over 90% of the harvest is properly processed and stored in the first mile through efficient cold chain technologies, in Africa the percentage drops to only 3%.  

 There are no simple solutions to the gaps that have always plagued human society, but what is certain is that it is often not the lack of natural resources that generates poverty and vulnerability, but the complexity of infrastructural and economic dynamics. 

The cold chain is one of the key nodes in the challenge to the planet's nutrition. This is why in the African scenario and in line with the objectives of the United Nations, Manni Group and InspiraFarms are preparing to set up the Ghana Innovation Farm a technological and cultural hub, where it will be possible to share knowledge and technologies with the population to meet their needs, developing new strategies to make their activities more competitive and generating thousands of high-quality jobs.

The third edition of the Manni Group Design Award challenges architects and engineers worldwide to create the best design for this cold hub and educational center. Their projects will be evaluated from top tier Architectural Studios such as Eduardo Souto de Moura, Giancarlo Mazzanti of El Equipo Mazzanti, Mariam Kamara of Atelier Masōmī and Andreas Fries from Herzog de Meuron.

The high value of this initiative is proved by the patronage of SACE, the Italian Export Credit Agency, that supports sustainable projects in Italy and abroad, of Global Cold Chain Alliance (GCCA) the most important World association in the cold logistic industry and also of Fondazione Promozione Acciaio, a cultural institution promoting the advancement of steel building and infrastructures. 

We thank for the support and technical knowledge Inspirafarms and Ifria, excellences in the cold chain development industry in Africa.

Very important partners also joined the team as sponsors: BASF, leader in the chemical industry (Main Sponsor), Renolit, reference point for the production of synthetic membranes and ROCKWOOL, main player in the mineral wool market as Sponsors.