By Ibrahim Hassan-Wuyo

Propcom+, an eight-year climate-smart agriculture programme funded by the UK government, has intensified efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s livestock health system with the deployment of solar-powered cold chain solutions in rural communities.

At a stakeholder forum in Kaduna titled “Unlocking Cold Chain Innovation: Lessons from the Solar Refrigerator Pilot for Poultry and Livestock Vaccine Storage and Distribution,” the programme’s Strategy Director, Mr. Olumide Ojo, said the initiative was designed to close long-standing gaps in last-mile vaccine delivery.

Ojo explained that the solar refrigerator pilot, implemented over the last 6–12 months, examined weaknesses in the conventional cold chain and tested alternative solar-driven options for preserving vaccine potency in remote areas. He noted that heavy reliance on generators and unstable grid electricity often compromises vaccine efficacy, affecting farmers and worsening livestock losses.

According to him, findings from the pilot showed that solar refrigerators powered directly by sunlight ensure stable operation, lower running costs, and enable rural agro-service providers to reach more farmers.

“This project has allowed smallholder farmers in off-grid communities to access quality vaccines, strengthening disease control and reducing Nigeria’s estimated $9 billion annual livestock disease burden,” he said. He also urged financial institutions to support scale-up through asset-financing models, citing strong returns recorded by participating agrovets.

Presenting the commercial viability assessment, Dr. Babatunde David described the solar units tested under the pilot as technologically reliable, financially sound, and suitable for national roll-out. He said the pilot, which reached 42 agrovets, recorded short breakeven periods and demonstrated bankability for both commercial and development financing. He added that blended financing mechanisms would ease adoption among smaller agrovets, with some models requiring zero upfront payment.

Dr. Khadija Shuaibu, CEO of Bami Veterinary, stressed that a functional cold chain is essential for preserving vaccine potency, noting that conventional refrigerators dependent on unstable electricity often fail in rural settings.

Engr. Eghosa Ogedebe, Managing Director of Inter Trade Nigeria Limited, explained that the solar units tested experience fewer mechanical disruptions because they run on regulated DC power, unlike grid-linked systems prone to voltage fluctuations. He said that aside from routine panel cleaning and eventual replacement of basic components, the solar refrigerators require minimal maintenance. He added that their overall cost of ownership is lower due to durability, stable performance, and the elimination of fuel and surge-related expenses.

Stakeholders at the forum agreed that solar cold chain technology offers a practical and scalable solution for improving livestock vaccine access for rural farmers and strengthening Nigeria’s broader animal health system.