UK Programme Deepens Rural Livestock Vaccine Access With Solar Innovation

A United Kingdom (UK)-funded climate-smart agriculture programme, Propcom+, is transforming Nigeria’s livestock health system by introducing solar-powered cold chain solutions to rural communities.

The initiative was part of a broader effort to support key agricultural value chains like rice, maize and sorghum. It aims to make vaccines more accessible and reduce losses from livestock diseases.

Speaking at the event titled, “Unlocking Cold Chain Innovation: Lessons from the Solar Refrigerator Pilot for Poultry and Livestock Vaccine Storage and Distribution”, Propcom+ strategy director, Mr. Olumide Ojo, said the programme tackles gaps in vaccine distribution, especially in remote areas.

“The solar-powered refrigerator pilot ensures that vaccines remain potent and accessible in rural communities, reducing the need for farmers to travel long distances to urban centres”.

He explained that pilot, conducted over the past 6–12 months, assessed weaknesses in the conventional cold chain system and tested solar refrigeration to maintain vaccine potency in off-grid communities.

According to him, findings revealed that solar-powered refrigerators guarantee reliable operation, lower operational costs, and enable agrovet businesses to expand their market reach.

“This project has enabled smallholder farmers in off-grid areas to access quality vaccines, improving disease control and reducing Nigeria’s estimated $9 billion annual livestock disease burden”.

Dr. Babatunde David, who led the commercial viability assessment, confirmed the solar models are technologically sound, financially viable, and suitable for nationwide scale-up.

“The pilot reached 42 agrovets, recorded short breakeven periods, and proved the model is bankable for both commercial and development financing”.

He added that blended financing mechanisms could make adoption easier for small agrovets.

Highlighting the practical benefits, Dr. Khadija Shuaibu, CEO of Bami Veterinary, said: “Maintaining a reliable cold chain is essential to preserve vaccine potency. Traditional refrigerators often fail in areas with unstable electricity supply”.

Engr. Eghosa Ogedebe, managing director of Inter Trade Nigeria Limited, explained that solar units experience fewer mechanical failures because they operate on regulated DC power instead of unstable grid electricity.

Propcom+’s solar-powered approach is improving vaccine access in Nigeria’s rural livestock sector, ensuring farmers protect their herds while boosting business opportunities for agrovet operators.