Small-scale fruit and vegetable farmers in the Southern Highlands regions can now breathe a sigh of relief, thanks to Delaware Agriculture (T) Ltd's $1 million (2.3bn/-) investment in modern cold storage facilities. These state-of-the-art refrigerators will help prevent spoilage and ensure that farmers' produce reaches the market in good condition.

Abhishek Dwivedi, the firm’s marketing manager, explained to journalists visiting the project site in Iringa over the weekend that the initiative is a response to a study conducted by the company, which highlighted the economic hardships faced by farmers whose crops often spoil before they can be sold. The new cold storage solution uses a technology called Ecofrost, a solar-powered refrigeration system designed to preserve fruits and vegetables for longer periods, from the harvest through to the market.

“We believe that technology and innovation can drive rapid change, particularly for small farmers whose crops often spoil either in the field or before they reach the market,” Dwivedi said.

The company also plans to educate farmers on the importance of using these cold storage units to avoid the significant losses they've faced in the past. The education programme will target farmers in the Southern Highlands regions, including Mbeya, Njombe, Ruvuma, and Iringa, as well as various civil society organizations, media, and cooperatives.

Dwivedi called on the government to reduce customs taxes on the specialized refrigerators, which are currently costly to import. "To make these technologies more accessible and support sustainable agriculture, we urge the government to lower the customs tax on these units, so they can be imported in greater quantities,” he said.

Muhammad Sohail, the company’s financial manager, shared that in addition to the Southern Highlands, the plan is to expand the cold storage service to other regions, including Kilimanjaro, Arusha, Sumbawanga, Morogoro, Tanga, and Kilolo District in Iringa. “Our first cooling unit has been installed here in Ipogolo, Iringa, and we plan to extend the service to many more farmers. This initiative is crucial for the development of the agricultural sector and the nation as a whole,” Sohail emphasized.

The solar-powered cold storage system has a storage capacity of five metric tons, with the potential for expansion to 200 metric tons. Currently, between 15 and 20 farmers are benefiting from the service, which is offered at affordable rates. Sohail added that, in the next two years, the project is expected to create 100 to 200 direct and indirect jobs as it continues to expand.

The solar-powered refrigeration technology, developed by the Indian company Ecozen in 2010, is now being introduced to Tanzania by Delaware Agriculture (T) Ltd. The aim is to improve the livelihoods of small-scale farmers by reducing spoilage and preserving the agricultural value chain.