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In Mendekelema, the lack of electricity and cooling facilities limits farmers’ ability to store and sell their vegetables. Large amounts of produce are lost after harvest, a challenge that is worsened by rising temperatures and climate change. This reduces both household income and access to fresh, affordable food in the local community.
We are therefore raising funds for a project, that aims to establish a locally owned, community-driven, solar-powered cold storage facility, enabling vegetables to be stored under stable and safe conditions. At the same time, a permanent covered marketplace with sanitation facilities will be constructed, creating improved conditions for trade and hygiene.
The initiative combines technical solutions with training in climate-resilient crop production, maintenance of solar energy systems, and improved methods for transport and storage. The project is expected to reduce food loss by up to 40% and benefit around 1,500 farmers. Lessons learned will be captured in a model that can be replicated in other off-grid areas of Sierra Leone and across the Global South.
