Startup Showcase: Agrotech Plus – Empowering Smallholders with Sustainable Cooling and Digitized Farm Management

Agrotech Plus is a social enterprise with a mission to empower smallholders in Kenya by providing them with access to sustainable cooling and digitized farm management. The startup’s modular, solar-powered cold rooms offer off-grid storage and preservation for fresh fruits and vegetables, while the digital platform seeks to optimize production and management decisions for farmers. With a unique servitization business model, Agrotech Plus is making a significant impact in the agriculture industry in Kenya.

Modular Solar-Powered Cold Rooms for Sustainable Cooling

One of the biggest challenges facing smallholders in Kenya is the lack of access to sustainable cooling facilities. Without refrigeration, fresh fruits and vegetables can only last for two days, limiting the farmers’ ability to sell their produce and earn a decent income. Agrotech Plus seeks to solve this problem by providing modular, solar-powered cold rooms that offer off-grid storage and preservation for fresh produce.

The cold rooms are installed in markets and farms within the reach of farmers and retailers, providing easy access to cold storage facilities. The cold rooms are powered by solar energy, making them both environmentally friendly and cost-effective. With a temperature of 5°C, the cold rooms can extend the freshness of fruits, vegetables, and other perishable food to about 21 days, allowing farmers to store their produce and sell them at a higher price, increasing their income.

Digitized Farm Management for Optimal Production

Agrotech Plus also offers a digital platform that seeks to enable smallholders to optimize their production and farm management decisions. The app digitizes the processes required for clean technology provision, providing farmers with access to the most efficient, reliable, and sustainable off-grid cooling while only paying for the amount of food they store with the servitization business model (pay per kg-day).

With the digital platform, farmers can monitor and manage their farms, access market prices, and connect with buyers, allowing them to make informed decisions and increase their profitability. The platform also provides access to weather information, pest and disease management advice, and crop rotation tips, ensuring that farmers have all the necessary tools to optimize their production.

Servitization Business Model for Affordability

Agrotech Plus’s unique servitization business model makes sustainable cooling affordable for smallholders. With this model, farmers only pay for the amount of food they store with the pay per kg-day model, avoiding any upfront investment. This ensures that smallholders can access sustainable cooling facilities without incurring significant costs, making it possible for them to improve their income and livelihoods.

Conclusion

Agrotech Plus is making a significant impact in the agriculture industry in Kenya by providing smallholders with access to sustainable cooling and digitized farm management. With modular, solar-powered cold rooms, a digital platform, and a unique servitization business model, Agrotech Plus is empowering smallholders to optimize their production, increase their income, and improve their livelihoods. As the company continues to grow, it is set to make a significant contribution to the agriculture sector in Kenya and beyond.

Website: https://agrotekplus.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Agrotechology

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/75045953/admin/