b'requires developing the skill for managing solar panelsWhen we begin to look at the at the community level.challenges at the farm levelthe lack If investments can beof infrastructure, the lack of technology crowded in to provide theseintegrated into how farmers live and work kinds of infrastructure,this is creating multiple job and see them as opportunities, thats opportunities at the communitywhere the excitement around how we level. You need to havewill work with young Africans will begin.someone who can also provide all the additional services, and all of this will translate into jobNigeria alone, only 60% of allhe doesnt get it sold, he needs creation for that community. the tomatoes produced willto drop his price to $8 the next find their way to the marketday. By the third or fourth day, I think we take cold storagebecause 40% will perish at thethe farmer will have to take for granted here in thefarm level simply because ofwhatever he can possibly get so Northern Hemisphere. Wevethe lack of storage facilities.that he gets that basket off his all got refrigerators. So, letsImagine what that means tohands, otherwise hes not going look at it from the perspectivethe income of the farmer. Atto get anything sold. So even of the farmer. Youre a tomatoevery harvest, he knows thatwith the 60% that gets to the farmer and youve got a goodhe will not get more than 60%market, this farmer is going to crop. Now what do you do? of his produce to the market.be suffering from diminishing You start with using a basket,Now, lets even look atprofitability. This is a huge right? The locally woven basketthat 60%. The farmer bringsopportunity for innovation. itself cannot preserve youra basket of tomatoes to the tomatoes for long-distancemarket today and [is] goingAnd the multiplier effect on travel or storage, and youto sell that basket of tomatoes,job creation is enormous. have no refrigeration. Insay, for not more than $10. IfI think the work youre doing around creating modern supply chains will create a huge dent in the unemployment problem. Its very interesting work.When we begin to look at the challenges at the farm levelthe lack of infrastructure, the lack of technology integratedBOTTOMinto how farmers live and workColdHubs solar- and see them as opportunities,powered cold PHOTO COURTESY OF COLDHUBS storage units thats where the excitementenable farmers around how we will work within Africa to rent refrigerator young Africans will begin. space for their At every point, every problemproduce by the crate, extending being addressed throughshelf life, technology and innovationreducing waste is a whole new opportunityand improving the profitability for jobs to be created.n of crops.HEIFER.ORG |19'