Last Tuesday, the Bangladesh government approved a Tk1.6 bln (€17 mln) project to provide infrastructure supports and trainings to vegetable growers across the country. The project was aimed at introducing modern technology among rural farmers in setting up storages at households to ensure quality of agro products targeting export and local markets, a top official at the agriculture ministry said.
The Executive Committee of National Economic Council (ECNEC) approved the project, initiated by the Department of Agricultural Marketing (DAM) under the agriculture ministry. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina chaired the meeting held at the NEC Auditorium at Agargaon in the city.
Under the project, 500 zero energy cool chambers (ZECC) will be set up on the household premises of 500 selected farmers in 31 districts over the next five years, starting this fiscal year.
Besides this, twelve small laboratories will also be established in selected districts for ensuring quality of agro products.
"The ZECCs will be made of brick, bamboo and sand. ZECC is a type of evaporative cooler, which is a simple and inexpensive way to keep vegetables fresh without the use of electricity," Shahnaz Begum Neena, deputy director (Policy & Planning), of Department of Agricultural Marketing, told the Dhaka Tribune.
She said this type of storage would help maintain the quality of agro products for selling those to local vendors and exporters on a regular basis.
Source: dhakatribune.com