Why Farmers in PNG Should Use Solar Cold Rooms
What is a Solar Cold Room?
A solar cold room is a big refrigerator powered by the sun. Farmers can store fresh vegetables, fruits, or even fish inside, so they stay fresh for much longer. Unlike normal cold storage, these cold rooms don’t need grid power or expensive fuel.
Why It Matters for Farmers in PNG
Many farmers in Papua New Guinea lose a large part of their harvest because:
-
No proper storage → food spoils quickly in the heat.
-
Long travel to market → crops lose freshness before arriving.
-
No bargaining power → farmers are forced to sell cheap because produce won’t last.
With a solar cold room, farmers can:
-
Keep produce fresh for days or weeks longer.
-
Wait for better prices instead of rushing to sell.
-
Send produce to distant markets like Port Moresby or Lae without it spoiling.
-
Sell more, waste less — more income for the same harvest.
Why Pay Per Crate is Better for Farmers
You don’t need to buy or own the cold room. Instead, you just pay a small fee for each crate you store.
This is good for farmers because:
-
✅ No big cost upfront — you don’t need to buy expensive equipment.
-
✅ Only pay when you use it — if you don’t store, you don’t pay.
-
✅ Fair sharing — many farmers can use the same cold room.
-
✅ Better income — the small fee is much less than what you would lose from spoiled produce.
Example:
If you sell a crate of tomatoes for K200, but normally lose K60 to spoilage, storing that crate in a solar cold room for a K10 fee saves you K50 extra income.
How Farmers Can Use It
-
Bring your crates of produce to the solar cold room.
-
Pay a small fee per crate.
-
Store your produce safely.
-
Collect it later when you are ready to sell, or when prices are higher.
Key Benefits in PNG
-
Highlands farmers → keep cabbages, broccoli, and carrots fresh for transport.
-
Coastal farmers → store pineapples, bananas, and fish longer.
-
Market vendors → reduce waste and keep products fresh for customers.
Final Message for Farmers
Solar cold rooms help you save more, earn more, and waste less. With the pay-per-crate model, you don’t carry the cost of the equipment — you just pay a little for storage and get much bigger returns on your harvest.