Detailed description
Optimizing a Solar Milk Pre-Cooler Innovation to Improve Quality and Safety of Raw Milk at Smallholders’ Chilling Centres in Kenya
This project aims to strengthen milk safety, quality, and farmer incomes in Kenya’s smallholder dairy sector by optimizing and scaling a solar-powered milk pre-cooling innovation at dairy cooperative chilling centres. Delayed cooling at milk collection points remains a critical bottleneck in the dairy value chain, contributing to high bacterial growth, milk spoilage, processor rejection, and significant income losses for farmers and cooperatives. Implemented over 24 months (April 2024–March 2026) in Nakuru and surrounding high-potential dairy counties, the project addresses this challenge by validating and deploying a solar-powered ice-bank pre-cooling system that rapidly lowers milk temperature before it enters bulk chillers, reducing bacterial multiplication, energy costs, and reliance on fossil fuels. In parallel, the project promotes inclusive, market-based business models by building the technical and entrepreneurial capacity of local SMEs, cooperatives, and women- and youth-led enterprises to fabricate, install, operate, and maintain the technology. Led by Happy Cow Ltd in partnership with the African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS) and Fooster Solutions Ltd, and supported by the EU, OACPS, BMZ through GIZ’s Agri-Business Facility (ABF), the project combines technology innovation, capacity building, and evidence-based policy engagement to strengthen climate-resilient dairy value chains in Kenya.
