Improvement of Milk Storage Using Solar Powered Coolers

Improvement of Milk Storage Using Solar Powered Coolers

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Last edit made by Helen Mengs on 2024-05-14. This is a wiki, do not hesitate to update information by clicking on "Edit with form".

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Key Data

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Organisation

Ministry of Agriculture of Zambia

Duration

February 2021 - May 2023

Project Description

The project provides cooling solutions for rural farmers, who are located off-grid, and in addition, also provides these farmers with an opportunity to participate in the formal sector of the diary product value chain. This is achieved through a two-step process. First, all relevant local stakeholders are identified and mapped to ensure that the project is locally anchored. Second, a suitable location for a new milk cooling unit is identified. At this location a milk cooling unit, which is operated completely by solar power, is constructed. As no connection to the national power grid is possible due to the remote location, the solar PV system ensures that the unit can operate continuously and the cooling chain is not interrupted. At the same time, sensitisation measures teach farmers about the importance and process of cooling chains to ensure the sustainability of the project. Combined, these measures increase the quantity of milk collected by the dairy processors, provide an income for farmers selling milk to the collection centres, and offer employment opportunities at the new milk collection centres.

This project provides a reliable alternative to traditional electricity supply for the milk’s cooling value chain. The constructed milk cooling unit has no connection to the national electricity grid and instead is run entirely on solar power. Furthermore, milk can be stored for up to two days, which enables individual farmers to sell more milk overall. This innovative cooling system provides an additional advantage during dry seasons. Traditionally, farmers would not feed their cattle more than necessary to keep costs down, but by collecting and storing their milk at the cooling unit, they are incentivised to feed their cattle throughout the year, enabling them to establish a stable income from milk production.

GBE Component

Small Projects Fund

Categories

• Productive Use

Factsheet

Location

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Country SPF

Zambia

Geographic coordinates of project site

{{#geocode: -17.78779, 25.27602}}

Latitude            Longitude

{{#display_map: coordinates=-17.78779, 25.27602|zoom=6|height=200|width=400|service=openlayers|center=-17.78779, 25.27602 }}

• Improvement of Milk Storage Using Solar Powered Coolers
• Productive Use