This project will build a solar-powered cold storage facility on our campus farm in rural Liberia, enabling us to preserve cash crops in order to prolong the selling time and creating competitive advantage in the local market. Cold storage will prevent fruit and vegetable spoilage before use in our school lunch program and help improve food security.
The majority of Liberian farmers grow the same crops, on the same cycle, and sell at the same time for the same price. Unused or unsold crops spoil quickly in the Liberian heat. Without the availability of electricity, food preservation is difficult or non-existent. Additionally, having the ability to purchase food items when market prices are low and store safely for future use keeps expenses low and improves food security especially during times of market volatility or adverse climate impact.
Our school lunch program provides hundreds of students with their only meal of the day. Having a solar-powered cold storage facility will allow our agriculture team to harvest crops at the height of the season and preserve them for future use. Some stored crops will be used in our kitchen and others will be sold in the market at a time when other sellers do not have the same items available. This will improve food security and give us competitive advantage allowing us to sell for higher profits.
Food inflation is high in Liberia with many staple foods imported and market prices are heavily influenced by environmental factors. This project will reduce food costs and generate higher income for supporting school operations. It will stabilize school expenditures and may result in lowering school fees. Expanding access to the facility by local farmers could also improve family incomes for community members.
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