The Department of Agriculture (DA) has introduced the Zero Energy Cooling Chamber (ZEC-C) technology to address the persistent problem of vegetable spoilage, particularly in Cagayan Valley, a major vegetable-producing region. The new technology extends the shelf life of freshly harvested vegetables like tomatoes and eggplants, helping farmers reduce waste, increase profitability, and support food security.
The ZEC-C, which costs around P45,000 for a 500-kilogram capacity unit, offers a cost-effective, energy-efficient storage solution. Trials have shown that it can preserve tomatoes for up to 21 days and eggplants for up to five days, by maintaining ideal humidity and temperature levels. Other vegetables, such as upo and patola, also benefit from extended storage life.
The project, which took two years to develop, involved collaboration among researchers, farmers, cooperatives, and agribusiness partners. It is projected to generate a return on investment of 71 percent for tomatoes and 32 percent for eggplants over a storage cycle of 5 to 21 days.
“This initiative is a critical step towards modernizing agriculture and improving farmer incomes,” said Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. The ZEC-C technology will be officially launched later this month, with units set for distribution across key towns in Isabela, providing a sustainable solution for vegetable storage and reducing food waste.
