Improving Agricultural Profitability with Solar Powered Mobile Cold Storage for Small Farm Holders
The project is envisioned to be implemented in Baiteshwor Rural Municipality, Ward No. 3 (Earlier Mirge VDC) of Dolakha district. In the present context, in the absence of cold storage and related cold chain facilities, the farmers are compelled to either not sell due to small harvest or sell their produce immediately after harvest which results in glut situations and low price realization. Cold chain infrastructure for fruits and vegetables can remarkably improve storage quality and reduce wastage. Robust farm-to-retail cold chain solution is required to sustain the growing domestic demand as well as increase cash income for rural poor communities.
The project is funded by WISIONS, Germany and the project duration is 1 year.
The key objectives of the project are as follows:
1) Providing access to solar powered mobile cold storage facility to the local rural community for improved income from locally produced vegetable and fruits
2) Demonstrating low cost clean storage facility for small farm holders
3) Ensuring local operational sustainability of the plants through community involvement