𝗦𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗱 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗦𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 - 𝗘𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗙𝗮𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗥𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗲 𝗪𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗜𝗻𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘀
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On mission to reduce post-harvest food loss and
empower smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa, Munakyalo Agrofresh provides
affordable, solar-powered cold storage solutions to help farmers
preserve their perishable produce and access better markets. Their innovative
cooling hubs are strategically located in rural communities, offering an
affordable and sustainable means to reduce food wastage, improve market
access, and increase farmers' incomes.
Munakyalo Agrofresh's innovative cold storage
solution harnesses solar power to provide reliable, off-grid refrigeration for
perishable produce. High-efficiency solar panels capture sunlight and
convert it into electricity, which is stored in high-capacity batteries to
ensure continuous power. This electricity then runs an energy-efficient
refrigeration unit that maintains optimal temperatures to extend the shelf life
of fruits, vegetables, dairy, and other crops.
Through preventing post-harvest losses, this
technology enables smallholder farmers to sell more of their harvest, boosting
their incomes and improving food security in the surrounding communities.
Importantly, the solar-powered design promotes environmental sustainability,
while they training and support empowers farmers to effectively utilize the
cold storage and adopt improved agricultural practices.
One of the key challenges Munakyalo Agrofresh faces
in scaling its operations is the infrastructure limitations in many rural areas
and to overcome this, they invested in robust, off-grid solar solutions and
designed its cold storage units to be highly portable and easy to deploy in
remote locations. Collaborating with local governments and NGOs also helped
improve supporting infrastructure in targeted regions.
Securing adequate funding for scaling and expanding
the reach to more farmers is another significant hurdle. Munakyalo Agrofresh
has pursued a diversified funding strategy, including grants, impact
investments, and partnerships with development agencies to support farmers in
accessing their services.
Initially, there was limited awareness and
skepticism among smallholder farmers about the benefits and reliability of
solar-powered cold storage. Munakyalo Agrofresh conducted extensive outreach
and education programs, including demonstrations, workshops, and farmer
training sessions. Partnering with local agricultural cooperatives and
extension services helped build trust and credibility within the farming
communities.
Over time ensuring the technical reliability and
regular maintenance of the solar-powered units in remote locations posed
logistical challenges. Munakyalo Agrofresh established a network of trained
local technicians to provide on-the-spot maintenance and support. They also
invested in high-quality, durable components and designed the units to be as
user-friendly and low-maintenance as possible.
Munakyalo Agrofresh plans to continuously improve its solutions by incorporating advanced monitoring and management capabilities, such as IoT sensors and data analytics, to further enhance efficiency, sustainability, and cost-effectiveness while advocating for supportive policies and fostering partnerships to amplify its impact and maximize benefits for farmers and communities.
Story By Patrick
Seremba | Sources: Exclusive Interview
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