Mini steel silos’ Local manufactory and distribution to smallholder farmers

• Durability and Efficiency: Made from 0.4 mm thick colored steel, the mini steel silos are resistant to rust, moisture, and pests, ensuring long-term (15-20 years) use. The mini silo’s capacity ranges from 800 kg to 1000 kg.
• Portability: The silos can be collapsed to 0.5 meters in height, saving space and facilitating easy transport.
• Local Manufacturing: Designed for local production using locally available materials, fostering local industry and reducing costs.
• Scalability: Standardized design allows for mass production and widespread adoption.

•       Cost-effective: Producing mini steel silos locally can reduce costs by about 100%. In the local market, the price of mini steel silo is 500 USD, while imported mini steel silos in the Rice Value Chain project cost approximately 200 USD each. The estimated cost for producing mini steel silos locally ranges from $70 to $100 each.

Objectives:

• Reduce Post-Harvest Losses: Lower grain losses from the current 30% to below 5%, by preventing mold and toxins like aflatoxin, ensuring safer food and reducing lost during storage.
• Increase Farmer Income: Enable farmers to store grains longer and sell them at better prices in addition to saved grains by using this device.
• Promote Local Manufacturing: Create jobs and stimulate local economies through silo production.

Support for South-South and Triangular Cooperation:

• Technology Transfer: Chinese technology and expertise are shared with CIV, and later other African countries, fostering South-South cooperation.
• Collaborative Funding: Using previous project investment by the Gates Foundation, the Chinese government assistant China-Aid program in CIV, and WFP China COE’s resources.
• Regional Impact: Scalable model for other African countries facing similar post-harvest challenges.
• Local Adaptation: The silos are adapted to local conditions by using locally available materials, ensuring relevance and sustainability.

Expected Impact:

1. Economic Impact: Increased income for farmers and growth in local manufacturing industries.
2. Resilience of food system improved: Strengthed grain capacity of smallholders increased the resilience of the food system against climate change.
3. Social Impact: Improved food security and reduced poverty among smallholder farmers.
4. Environmental Impact: Reduced need for excessive agricultural production, lowering environmental strain.

Impact Measurement

1. Quantitative Metrics:
   • Number of silos distributed, the project targets to distribute about 800 mini steel silos  to smallholders in CIV.
   • Reduction in post-harvest losses (measured through farmer surveys and storage assessments).
   • Increase farmer income by individual interviews.
2. Qualitative Metrics:
   • Farmer satisfaction and adoption rates.
   • Capacity building outcomes, such as number of trained staff.

This is an existing technology with the following features.

1.      Cost-Effectiveness and Local Manufacturing Potential:

o   The mini steel silos are designed to be cost-effective, with local production in countries like Côte d’Ivoire (CIV) potentially reducing costs to around 100 USD per unit, this makes it accessible for smallholder farmers who often operate on tight budgets.

o   The design allows for local manufacturing using colored steel plates in local markets, reducing dependency on imports and fostering local industry.

2.      Efficient Grain Preservation:

o   The silos are moisture-proof, rodent-resistant, and durable, significantly reducing grain losses from 8% to below 2% in China. This is a substantial improvement over traditional storage methods, which are prone to rodent damage, mold, and insect infestations.

3.      Portability and Space Efficiency:

o   The silos can be collapsed when not in use, reducing their height from 1.36 meters to approximately 0.5 meters, making them easy to store and transport. This feature is particularly beneficial for farmers with limited storage space.

4.      Scalability and Standardization:

o   The silos can be produced in a standardized manner, allowing for large-scale manufacturing and distribution. This scalability is essential for widespread adoption in regions with high post-harvest losses.

Alignment with SDGs:

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger: By reducing post-harvest losses, the mini steel silos contribute to food security, ensuring that more food reaches consumers and reducing the need for emergency food provisions.
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth: Local manufacturing of silos can create jobs and stimulate local economies, particularly in rural areas where smallholder farming is prevalent.
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production: The silos promote sustainable consumption by reducing food loss and improving the efficiency of food storage systems.
• SDG 13: Climate Action: By minimizing grain losses, the silos help reduce the environmental impact associated with food production, such as the carbon footprint of growing additional crops to compensate for losses.

Brokerage Support Required:

• Funding and Subsidies: Brokerage support is needed to secure funding and subsidies from different donors to make the silos affordable for smallholder farmers.
• Policy Advocacy: Advocacy efforts are needed to integrate the silos into national agricultural policies and post-harvest loss reduction strategies.

1. Reduction in Post-Harvest Losses:

• The mini steel silos reduce grain losses from an average of 8% to below 2% in China, and it is estimated to reduce the grain loss by 15-20 % in CIV, which will significantly improve food availability for smallholder farmers in CIV.
• This reduction translates to substantial economic savings, as farmers lose less of their harvest to rodents, mold, and insects.

2. Improved Food Security and More Resilient Food System:

• By preserving more of their harvest, farmers have greater access to food for consumption and sale, enhancing household food security, and income for them to access to other nutrition food items, and food system resilience will be strengthened.
• The project contributes to national food reserves, providing a buffer during emergencies such as natural disasters or food shortages.

3. Economic Benefits for Farmers:

• Farmers experience increased income due to reduced losses and the ability to store grains for longer periods, allowing them to sell at more favourable market prices.
• The affordability of locally manufactured silos (around 80-100 USD) makes the solution accessible to smallholder farmers, improving their livelihoods.

4. Local Economic Development:

• The project promotes local manufacturing of silos, creating jobs and stimulating small-scale industries in countries like CIV.
• By adapting Chinese technology, and using locally available raw materials, the project fosters industrial growth and self-reliance.

5. Environmental and Health Benefits:

• The silos prevent mold growth and the production of harmful toxins like aflatoxin, ensuring safer food for consumption.
• Reduced post-harvest losses mean less need for excessive agricultural production, lowering the environmental impact of farming.

6. Capacity Building and Knowledge Sharing:

• Farmers and local manufacturers receive training on silo production, installation, and maintenance, ensuring the long-term sustainability of the solution.
• Knowledge sharing about post-harvest loss reduction and grain storage best practices strengthens local capacities and fosters innovation.

1. Technology Transfer from China to Africa:
   • The mini steel silo technology, developed and successfully implemented in China over the past two decades, is being transferred to countries like Côte d’Ivoire (CIV) and other African countries. This transfer is a clear example of South-South cooperation, where a developing country (China) shares its proven, low-cost, and effective technology with other developing countries facing similar challenges.
   • The Gates Foundation and the WFP are facilitating this transfer, demonstrating Triangular Cooperation by involving a global donor and an international organization to support the implementation and scaling of the technology in Africa.
2. Capacity Building and Knowledge Sharing:
   • The project includes training for local manufacturers and farmers on how to produce, install, and maintain the silos. This capacity-building component ensures that the technology is not just imported but also adapted and sustained locally, fostering long-term collaboration between China and African countries.
   • Knowledge sharing about post-harvest loss reduction and grain storage best practices is a key aspect of the project, which aligns with the SSTC goal of mutual learning and collaboration.
3. Local Manufacturing and Economic Development:
   • By promoting local manufacturing of the silos in CIV, the project encourages South-South cooperation in industrial development. Chinese expertise in manufacturing and design is shared with African partners, enabling them to produce the silos locally using local available materials (e.g., colored steel plates).
   • This approach not only reduces costs but also stimulates local economies by creating jobs and fostering small-scale industries, which is a key focus area of SSTC.
4. Scalability and Regional Impact:
   • The project’s scalability potential allows it to be replicated in other countries with similar post-harvest loss challenges, further promoting South-South cooperation. For example, the success of the silos in CIV could inspire other African nations to adopt the technology, with support from China and international partners.

Response to Specific South-South and Triangular Cooperation Needs the Western African region.

1. Addressing Post-Harvest Losses in Western Africa:
   • In CIV, up to 20-30% of rice is lost during post-harvest storage, primarily due to inadequate storage facilities. This is a common challenge across many developing countries, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, and West Africa region.
   • The mini steel silo solution directly addresses this issue by providing an affordable, durable, and effective storage option that reduces losses to below 2%, case in China, it is estimated in CIV it could be below 5%. This responds to the urgent need for practical, scalable solutions to improve food security in the region.
2. Lack of Local Manufacturing Capabilities:
   • It is identified that mini steel silos are not easy to access locally in CIV. This gap is filled through South-South cooperation, where China provides the technology, and equipment, while local partners adapt the solution to their specific contexts.
   • Triangular cooperation plays a role in funding and facilitating this process, ensuring that the technology is accessible to smallholder farmers who would otherwise not be able to afford it.
3. Promoting Food Security and Sustainable Agriculture:
   • The project aligns with the SSTC focus on food security by reducing post-harvest losses, which directly contributes to increased food availability and improved livelihoods for smallholder farmers.
   • By introducing a sustainable storage solution, the project also supports sustainable agriculture practices, reducing the need for excessive production to compensate for losses and minimizing the environmental impact of farming.

Brokerage Support for SSTC:

To further enhance the impact of this solution through South-South and Triangular Cooperation, the following brokerage support is needed:

1. Facilitating Partnerships:
   • UNOSSC and other partners can help establish partnerships between Chinese manufacturers, African governments, and local private sector actors to ensure the smooth transfer of technology and knowledge.
2. Funding and Subsidy Coordination:
   • Brokerage support is needed to secure additional funding and subsidies from international donors and governments to make the silos affordable for smallholder farmers.
   • UNOSSC can play a role in mobilizing resources and coordinating funding efforts among multiple stakeholders.
3. Policy Advocacy and Integration:
   • Advocacy efforts are needed to integrate the mini steel silo solution into national and regional agricultural policies, ensuring long-term sustainability and government support.

Since the project aligns with multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), making it attractive for replication in other regions. Its impact on food security, economic growth, and environmental sustainability provides a strong case for scaling. With minimal adaptation, the mini steel silo solution can be implemented across sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, and other regions, significantly reducing post-harvest losses and improving livelihoods for smallholder farmers globally.

Liaoning International Economic and Technical Cooperation Group Co., Ltd. Currently runs a rice farm in CIV which is supported by the Chinese government. The company sent a team of 8 have worked in CIV for more than 30 years. In this project, the Chinese team will operate the mini silo manufactory machine in Guiguidu, CIV, making mini steel silos using the locally available raw materials, and working with the local government for delivery to smallholders.

Rice Development Agency of CIV government: draft mini steel silos distribution plan and cooperate the mini steel silos into CIV’s national rice development plan, provide administration support to the project implementation, and will be responsible for local transportation of mini steel silos  to smallholders.