The Agriculture Ministry of Liberia, through its Rural Economic Transformation Project (RETRAP), has launched a cold storage facility in Whenlenle, Nimba County. This initiative, backed by a US$300,000 World Bank loan, aims to address post-harvest losses for local farmers. Strategically positioned along the Ganta–Monrovia Highway, the facility supports one of the country's main vegetable-producing areas.
The cold storage unit, a 40-foot container with a capacity of 77 cubic meters, operates on a 15kVA solar energy system, supplemented by a 20kVA generator. This setup ensures continuous operation throughout the year, regardless of weather conditions. Additionally, a new vegetable van, capable of transporting 3-4 tons of produce, has been introduced to enhance the supply chain from farms to markets.
Gala Toto, National Program Coordinator of RETRAP, explained the project's motivation: "Each time I traveled this route, I saw farmers working through the night, loading trucks with cabbages. I wondered—why not support them by providing cold storage to preserve their produce for market sales?" He noted the project's approval by the steering committee and emphasized the need to bolster local market supply.
Assistant Minister Folton Blasin, representing the agriculture minister at the dedication, reiterated the government's commitment to improving market access and empowering farmers. He urged beneficiaries to utilize the facility effectively: "Use this facility wisely for the benefit of your community and yourselves," he stated. "Your collaboration will make this site vibrant and profitable. A lot of money has been invested; it's now up to you to ensure that investment has a lasting impact."
Mr. Ezekiel Sayetee, Chairperson of the "Say No to Hunger Farmers Multipurpose Cooperative Society," expressed gratitude for the facility and emphasized collective responsibility: "We are truly grateful for this facility," he remarked. "It's not just for our village, but for all farmers from Nengbein to Beila involved in vegetable production. If we are serious about achieving food security in Liberia, we must take good care of this facility. We promise that this place will never go dry."
The facility's inauguration represents a move toward reducing food waste and enhancing farmers' incomes, while reinforcing Liberia's agricultural resilience.
Source: Daily Observer