Zimbabwe is among four African countries set to benefit from an initiative to build €5 million (US$5,45m) worth of cold storage facilities, sources in the horticultural industry said, welcoming the initiative as a positive development for the sector.
The Horticulture Development Council (HDC) hailed the initiative by pan-African firms InspiraFarms Cooling and InfraCo Africa targeted to benefit Zimbabwe, Kenya, Zambia and Ghana, given its potential positive impact on export revenue.
In terms of the deal, InspiraFarms Cooling seeks to pilot its ‘Cooling-as-a-Service’ model in the listed countries, which seeks to ensure affordable services for its clientele.
The new cold-storage packhouses will be owned by InspiraFarms Cooling with clients paying for the cooling services.
The initiative would address challenges encountered by horticulture farmers during the marketing of their produce, including inadequate storage facilities that cause significant post-harvest losses.
Post-harvest losses in horticulture have been a major concern for farmers and the agricultural industry in Zimbabwe.
Many small-scale farmers do not have access to cold storage facilities, leading to the loss of perishable produce like fruits and vegetables.
Poor transportation systems also contribute to a lot of post-harvest losses, as produce often gets damaged during long journeys to markets or processing facilities.
Reducing post-harvest losses in Zimbabwe’s horticulture sector is crucial for improving farmers’ livelihoods through better food security, and the sustainability of the agricultural sector.
Across Africa, 30-50 percent of produced food never reaches the table but is lost after harvest, positioning food systems as the second largest Greenhouse gas (GHG) contributor.
Speaking on the agreement that is set to enhance operations in the sector, HDC chief executive officer Linda Nielsen said the development will go a long way in enhancing the growth and development of local horticulture.
“InspiraFarms is already active in Zimbabwe, and this welcome partnership with InfraCo potentially expands their reach in the country. Post-harvest losses are one of the biggest challenges that many of our farmers face.
Such investments help ease these losses. Cold chain infrastructure is an essential component of the HDC’s Hub and Spoke Model, under which emerging growers are a key part of the horticulture value chain,” said Ms Nielsen.
Losses in horticultural production occur at various stages of the supply chain, from harvesting to transportation, storage, and marketing.
Poor market access and limited market opportunities also contribute to post-harvest losses. Farmers often face challenges in finding buyers for their produce, leading to prolonged storage and increased likelihood of spoilage.
Additionally, price fluctuations and market demand fluctuations can result in farmers selling their produce at lower prices, further increasing the losses.
Commenting on the signing, InfraCo Africa’s new head of business development, Omar Jabri noted that the agreement will help reduce the significant economic and environmental impact of post-harvest losses.
“We are pleased to be making our first investment into ‘first-mile’ cold storage. Access to InspiraFarms Cooling’s energy-efficient packhouses will enable farmers to access vital pre-cooling and cold storage close to where their produce is grown, can generate high-quality rural jobs along the chain, and bridge the gap in quality and standards missed by producers for entering export markets, maximising their incomes,” he said.
InspiraFarms Cooling chief executive officer, Julian Mitchell said the investment and collaboration with InfraCo Africa will help build a financing product to bridge this gap, by making the investment in cold chain more affordable to improve access for agribusinesses across Africa.
“I am so pleased to welcome InfraCo Africa’s investment into InspiraFarms Cooling, as there is a complete alignment of mission.
“This investment symbolises more than financial support; it is a testament to our shared vision towards developing inclusive climate-smart infrastructure that helps with adaptation, minimising food loss, in an energy-efficient way.
“With InfraCo Africa’s backing, I am confident in our ability to install more cooling solutions, a critical part of the journey of Africa transitioning from being a net food importer,” he said.
According to the Food and Agricultural Organisation estimates, post-harvest losses encountered by small-scale farmers can be as high as 25 percent.
The local horticulture sector is confronted by many challenges, which include post-harvest losses. On numerous occasions, farmers are forced to dispose of their commodities even at unfavorable prices as they fear losing out on their hard-earned produce.
Herald
