Propcom+ Boosts Rural Livestock Vaccine Access with Solar Innovation

News in Brief:

-Propcom+, a UK-funded climate-smart agriculture programme, has introduced solar-powered cold chain systems to improve livestock vaccine access in rural Nigeria.

-The pilot showed strong commercial viability, enabling agrovets to store potent vaccines in off-grid areas and reduce disease losses.

Propcom+, a UK-funded climate-smart agriculture initiative, has launched a solar-powered cold chain model to improve vaccine access for livestock farmers in remote communities. The intervention addresses longstanding gaps in vaccine storage and distribution, particularly in areas with limited access to grid electricity.

The programme, which also supports value chains such as rice, maize and sorghum, hosted a learning event in Abuja titled Unlocking Cold Chain Innovation: Lessons from the Solar Refrigerator Pilot for Poultry and Livestock Vaccine Storage and Distribution.

Strategy Director, Olumide Ojo, said the model was designed to ensure vaccine potency while reducing the need for farmers to travel long distances to urban centres. Its six to 12 12-month pilot evaluated weaknesses in the existing cold chain system, revealing that solar-powered refrigerators offer more reliable operation, lower running costs and stronger market opportunities for agrovet businesses.

Technology Shows Commercial Viability

Findings from the assessment showed that the technology can support vaccine availability while expanding agrovet services in underserved locations. The pilot reached 42 agrovets, recorded short breakeven periods and was considered commercially viable for scale-up across Nigeria.

Dr Babatunde David, who led the commercial viability study, said the model is technically sound and financially feasible for wider adoption. He noted that blended financing mechanisms could help smaller agrovets invest in the technology and expand vaccine distribution to rural farmers.

Industry stakeholders at the event highlighted the practical benefits for livestock health. Propcom+ estimates that improved cold chain capacity can help reduce Nigeria’s livestock disease burden, valued at about 9 billion dollars annually.

Stakeholders Cite Improved Reliability, Lower Costs

Dr Khadija Shuaibu, CEO of Bami Veterinary, said maintaining vaccine potency remains difficult in communities with unstable electricity. She noted that solar refrigeration offers a more dependable alternative to traditional systems.

Engr Eghosa Ogedebe, Managing Director of Inter Trade Nigeria Limited, said the solar-powered units experience fewer mechanical issues because they operate on regulated DC power rather than fluctuating grid supply. He added that durability, stable performance and the elimination of fuel and surge-related costs reduce the overall cost of ownership.

Propcom+ said the solar-powered approach is already supporting farmers in off-grid areas by improving access to quality vaccines and strengthening livestock disease control systems.