In the Republic of Congo, onion farmers in the province of Niari and its surrounding areas are set to reap the benefits from the cold storage facility project by Agri Resources Congo.
The installation of the new cooling system has begun within the company’s concession in Moulende (close to Dolisie).
The first of its kind in this region, the new facility will have the capacity to store up to 500 tonnes of green onion and other fresh vegetables. The site will cover the requirements for the company’s production, as well as for local farmers wishing to partake in the Agri Resources Congo outsourcing programme.
Green onions (also known as scallions) are a staple vegetable, consumed by every household in Congo and the sub-region. They are very versatile and delicious raw or cooked, but unlike regular onions—which stay fresh at room temperature—green onions are more like leafy greens or herbs that thrive in colder environments.
Local production of green onion
In the Niari division, the crop is widely cultivated by smallholder farmers, with more than 60% of homesteads having backyard gardens growing green onion.
Currently, buyers make their purchases at farm gates and go on to sell in Pointe Noire, Brazzaville and nearby DRC. Therefore, having this centralised local facility will extend product shelf life and ensure that a higher quantity of product reaches its final consumers.
The new cooling system will also play an important role in making the products safe and healthy for consumers, as well as increasing farmers’ incomes in vulnerable rural communities. In addition to improving on quality, and health and safety, farmers will also be able to store their produce and sell even during the off-season.
Logistics
Importing the necessary equipment from the Netherlands was made possible by close collaboration between Agri Resources Congo and R-Logistic Congo (both subsidiaries of Monaco Resources Group).
Source: Agri Resources Congo
