By: Kanto
Kai Okanta
A community cooling hub has
been launched in Naromoru, Nyeri County, Kenya, as part of efforts to
strengthen cold chain services and reduce post-harvest losses affecting farmers
in rural communities.
The initiative was launched by
Ustawi Afrika Farmers Hubs and the Sustainable Cooling and Cold Chain Solutions
(SCCCS) Programme, bringing together partners, service providers, and community
stakeholders to validate baseline findings and discuss ways to improve access
to reliable cooling solutions.
The project aims to address
challenges faced by farmers who often lose significant value from their produce
due to limited access to storage and cooling infrastructure, particularly in
rural areas where markets and logistics remain challenging.
During the event,
stakeholders reviewed findings from the Kenya SPOKE project and examined the
performance of existing cold chain solutions, with discussions focusing on
improving the accessibility, affordability, and sustainability of cooling
services for farming communities.
Doreen Irungu, Operations
Manager at Ustawi Afrika, highlighted the importance of developing solutions
that respond to the realities of farmers and support them in reducing losses
while increasing the value of their produce.
The African Centre for
Technology Studies (ACTS) led the validation of baseline findings and shared
early insights on business performance, highlighting the need for practical
approaches that combine technology, financing, and viable business models to strengthen
rural cooling ecosystems.
The discussions also
featured contributions from service providers, including financial institutions
and technology companies, who shared perspectives on solutions needed to
support sustainable cold chain development.
The event concluded with the
official opening of the community cooling hub and a tour of the facility. The
SCCCS Programme said the initiative will continue supporting local businesses
and farmers by improving access to cooling technologies and helping communities
maximise the value of agricultural production.
