Communities in the area of Zotola village in Traditional Authority (T/A) Chikulamayembe have expressed their excitement over a locally made zero cooling chamber that has reduced wastage of their farm produce.
The technology, zero cooling chamber which is constructed from locally available material such bricks, sand and water keeps the inside of the chamber where produce is stored cool keeping the produce fresh for a number of days.
The farmers constituting of various groups are able to store their farm produce such as tomatoes and vegetables for a number of days while waiting for buyers.
In an interview on Wednesday, a representative of Kahera Farmers, Albert Katumbi said their group which grows tomatoes and vegetables with support from DanChurchAid (DCA) and Norwegian Church Aid (NCA) says the technology keeps their produce fresh for a number of days.
“We are now able to keep our tomatoes fresh for up to 21 days using this technology. We are also able to keep vegetables fresh for up to seven days before they go bad,” he said.
Another beneficiary of the technology through Transform Project, Chrisy Luhanga said through irrigation farming in the area some members of the group have been able to buy mattresses, fertilizers and cement after selling their farm produce.
Thokozani Mpomba, an agronomist for Catholic Development Commission (CADECOM) which runs the Transform Project in the area with support DCA and NCA says through the technology farmers have been able to reduce wastage of produce by over 30 percent.
Reported By Manasse Nyirenda
