Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. is promoting the establishment of a network of solar-powered ice plants to reduce spoilage and post-harvest losses in agricultural and fisheries products. The initiative is aimed at improving food supply efficiency while increasing the incomes of farmers and fishers, especially in remote regions.
Sec. Tiu Laurel explained that the Philippine Fisheries Development Authority and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources could provide the funding for these sustainable ice plants.
Powered by renewable energy sources, such as solar and battery systems, the ice plants would help address critical gaps in the supply chain, particularly for high-value crops and fishery products, the DA chief said. Each ice plant will have a daily production capacity of around 10 metric tons, he added.
The agri chief noted that the spoilage of high-value crops currently ranges from 35 to 40 percent. “By introducing ice early in the supply chain—from farm to storage, or even directly to market—we can extend the shelf life of produce,” he said. Drawing from his experience in deep-sea fishing and cold storage, Secretary Tiu Laurel said: “For vegetables, ice can preserve freshness for 5 to 7 days, and for fish, up to 7 days.”
With proper cold storage and ice facilities, farmers and fishermen could expand their market reach, selling their products to areas farther from their production sites without relying on expensive refrigerated trucks. Currently, many farmers are limited to selling locally, but with the added benefit of ice, they could potentially extend their market reach across the archipelago.
Sec. Tiu Laurel also highlighted the importance of integrating this ice plant initiative with infrastructure such as food terminals and digital tracking systems. These logistics enhancements would improve the management and distribution of agricultural products, ensuring better price transparency and allowing products to reach the most lucrative markets.
This push for solar-powered ice plants is part of a broader effort by the Department of Agriculture to boost food security and reduce waste within the agricultural sector, contributing to a more sustainable and efficient supply chain. (DA)
