Pre-Feasibility Study for a Digitally Enabled Fresh Food Aggregation and Cold-Chain Pilot in Rulindo District

Stylos Consult Ltd. was engaged by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in collaboration with the Ministry of ICT and Innovation (MINICT) and the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources (MINAGRI), to undertake a pre-feasibility study for a digitally enabled fresh food aggregation and cold-chain pilot in Rulindo District. The assignment focuses on strengthening selected fruit and vegetable value chains by improving aggregation, post-harvest handling, storage, logistics, market coordination, and access to digital services. Our engagement involves assessing priority fresh-produce value chains, production and market flows, existing aggregation and storage infrastructure, and the major causes and economic implications of post-harvest losses. Stylos Consult is also assessing practical cold-chain and fresh-food handling solutions, alongside appropriate digital tools for produce registration, inventory management, traceability, transport, storage booking, buyer coordination, digital payments, and performance monitoring. The assignment further supports the development of a sustainable operating and business model by examining potential public, cooperative, and private-sector and public-private arrangements, including ownership, operating costs, revenue opportunities, user charges, maintenance requirements, and long-term sustainability. The final outcome will be an evidence-based and costed pilot concept, including the recommended commodities, infrastructure and digital components, institutional arrangements, implementation roadmap, risk mitigation measures, and next steps toward detailed design, financing, and implementation.