Solar-powered cold storage services in central Kenya have reduced post-harvest crop losses from as much as 50% to under 2% [1].
This shift allows smallholder farmers to preserve perishable produce without relying on expensive or unreliable electricity. By stabilizing the supply chain, farmers can avoid selling crops at distressed prices during gluts and instead target more lucrative international markets.
The initiative centers on a cooperative in Lari, located in central Kenya [2], [4]. The service is provided by a cold-chain company referred to as SoKo Fresh or SPOKE [1], [2], [3], [4]. Using a pay-per-use pricing model, the company charges farmers based on the number of kilograms of produce stored [3].
The impact on local agricultural growth has been significant. A local cooperative that began in early 2025 grew from approximately 20 vegetable farmers to more than 240 members by mid-2026 [4]. This expansion reflects a growing demand for sustainable preservation technology in rural areas.
Financial gains have also materialized at the farm level. According to reports, farm-gate prices for produce have risen by more than half [4]. This increase is attributed to the ability to keep crops fresh for longer periods, granting farmers greater leverage in price negotiations.
The model addresses a critical gap in rural infrastructure where traditional refrigeration is often unaffordable. By utilizing solar energy, the system operates independently of the national grid, which is a necessity for many remote farming communities in the region [2], [3].
“Post-harvest losses reduced from as much as 50% to under 2%”
The success of the pay-per-use solar cold chain in Lari demonstrates a scalable solution to food insecurity and rural poverty. By converting a high-capital requirement—refrigeration—into a variable operating cost, the model lowers the barrier to entry for small-scale producers. This transition from subsistence-level selling to market-timed selling could potentially reshape agricultural economics across other regions in Africa facing similar infrastructure deficits.
