What is the name of your organization?
Silo Africa Networks Limited
What is the name of your solution?
SmartSilo
Provide a one-line summary or tagline for your solution.
We prevent post-harvest crop losses by leveraging technology and providing digitized Metal silos to smallholder farmers transform grain storage.
In what city, town, or region is your solution team headquartered?
Eldoret, Kenya
In what country is your solution team headquartered?
Kenya
What type of organization is your solution team?
Hybrid of for-profit and nonprofit
Film your elevator pitch.
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What specific problem are you solving?
Post-harvest losses significantly impact smallholder farmers in Kenya and globally, reducing food availability and farmer incomes. In Kenya, approximately 30-40% of harvested produce is lost annually, amounting to financial losses of about KSh72 billion.Globally, smallholder farmers, who number around 470 million, experience at least a 15% reduction in saleable volumes due to post-harvest losses.
Key factors contributing to these losses include inadequate storage facilities, pest infestations, and insufficient knowledge of post-harvest management. Digitized metal silos offer a promising solution by providing airtight storage that protects grains from pests and moisture, thereby extending shelf life and preserving quality. In Kenya, the adoption of metal silos has been recognized as an effective intervention to curb post-harvest losses, with studies indicating their potential to significantly reduce damage caused by storage pests.
Implementing such technologies enhance food security and increase the incomes of smallholder farmers by reducing losses and enabling better market timing for their produce.
What is your solution?
Our smallholder digitized metallic silo is a secure, airtight grain storage system designed to help farmers reduce post-harvest losses. It is made of durable galvanized metal, protecting stored grains from pests, moisture, and mold.
What does it do?
• Prevents grain spoilage by keeping out air, moisture, and pests.
• Preserves grain quality for longer periods, reducing food and financial losses.
• Helps farmers store grain safely and sell at better prices when market conditions improve.
• Monitors grain conditions in real-time using IoT (Internet of Things) sensors.
How does it work?
1. Farmers store grains inside the metal silo, sealing it tightly.
2. The airtight design prevents pests and mold from damaging the grains.
3. IoT sensors inside the silo track temperature, humidity, and grain condition.
4. Farmers receive alerts via a mobile app or SMS, notifying them of any storage risks.
5. If conditions change (e.g., rising moisture), farmers can take preventive action to protect their grain.
By using technology-driven storage, our silos empower smallholder farmers to reduce waste, increase profits, and enhance food security.
https://vc4a.com/cgiar/food-systems-accelerator-2024/application/application-form-2024/entry/?lang=en&id=444661&doc_id=91907
Who does your solution serve, and in what ways will the solution impact their lives?
Our target population consists of smallholder farmers in Kenya and Sub-Saharan Africa, who rely on agriculture for their livelihoods but struggle with significant post-harvest losses due to poor storage. These farmers, typically cultivating less than five acres, play a crucial role in food production but remain underserved in access to modern storage solutions, financing, and market linkages.
Current Challenges:
• High Post-Harvest Losses: Up to 40% of harvested grain is lost due to pests, mold, and poor storage.
• Limited Access to Storage Solutions: Many farmers rely on traditional methods (woven bags, mud silos) that fail to protect grains.
• Food Insecurity and Financial Struggles: Losses force early sales at low prices, reducing food availability and incomes.
• Lack of Real-Time Monitoring: Farmers cannot track storage conditions, leading to undetected spoilage.
How Our Solution Helps:
Our digitized metallic silos provide airtight, pest-proof, and moisture-resistant storage, reducing grain losses and improving food security. IoT sensors help farmers monitor grain conditions remotely, preventing spoilage and enabling better decision-making. This allows them to store grain longer, sell at better prices, and increase earnings, ultimately improving their livelihoods and resilience against food shortages.
