KENYA – Twiga Foods, a Kenyan-based technology food distribution platform has partnered with plastic and packaging solutions provider, Silafrica to create and assimilate the use of smart crate systems into their operations.
The Smart Crate deemed to be the first of its kind in the region, is made from 100% recycled plastic, in line with Silafrica’s commitment to a circular economy, while creating responsible and sustainable solutions that respect the planet and its biodiversity.
This new tech solution gives the farmers a way of tracking their produce until it reaches the market as the crates are fitted with Near-Field Communication (NFC) and Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) which relay real-time data as the crates move from one point to the other.
The crate will be frequently scanned at specific checkpoints within the course of its journey using the tags on the crates.
It enables the farmers to conveniently get key information about the product with a single tap of their phone and actively get involved throughout its transit process.
Being an upgrade to the regular crates, it would enable geolocation advantages as well. In addition to that they are reusable.
This offers operational and logistical advantages that will assist in minimizing post-harvest waste, offer efficient management of distribution channels, and aid in utilization of resources more efficiently for a more streamlined and sustainable approach of distribution.
Akshay Shah, Silafrica Executive Director, touts the new crate design as a “safe and sound” method to transport fresh farm produce.
“The thought process behind the crates’ unique design will be able to prevent damage to the fresh farm produce, ensuring that it arrives to the end consumers safe and sound,” he said.
Silafrica is engaged in the manufacturing and supplying of plastic and packaging solutions for corporations, consumer packaged goods (CPGs) and others.
The company has manufacturing locations in Kenya, Tanzania and Ethiopia. It serves clients in Uganda, Rwanda, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and other countries in Africa.
