Weekly Spotlight Series
Farmers face numerous challenges keeping their harvests fresh before going to the market. High temperatures and unprotected storage areas greatly increase postharvest losses and reduce profits.
One of the ways Fintrac helps farmers fight postharvest losses is by teaching them to build charcoal coolers. The charcoal walls of the small sheds work to keep temperatures low inside and preserve produce. Farmers keep the charcoal moist, and as warm, dry air passes through, the water on the charcoal evaporates and cools the air. These coolers are low-cost ways to preserve produce using readily-available materials.
Farmers can store their produce in a charcoal cooler for up to three days so they can harvest more before going to market or wait for buyers to pick it up. With fresher and longer-lasting crops, farmers earn better prices for their products, directly translating to higher incomes.
