The Department of Agriculture (DA) in Cagayan Valley has launched a solution to tackle the ongoing problem of vegetable spoilage in the region, where lowland vegetable production is a vital industry.

The Zero Energy Cooling Chamber (ZEC-C) technology aims to extend the shelf life of freshly harvested vegetables, particularly tomatoes and eggplants.

Trials conducted in Aurora and Roxas in Isabela tested various insulation materials such as coconut coir, charcoal, and a bricks-and-sand mix.

The results showed that charcoal insulation lowered temperatures by 5 to 10 degrees Celsius, maintaining humidity levels of 85 to 90 percent, ideal for vegetable storage.

The trials indicated that tomatoes could be preserved for up to 21 days, while eggplants could last up to five days, depending on freshness, firmness, and color. Other vegetables, such as bottle gourd (upo) and sponge gourd (payola), remained in excellent condition for up to six days.

The ZEC-C can store up to 500 kilograms of vegetables and costs approximately P45,000, with reduced costs for larger units.

“An economic analysis showed a return on investment of at least 71 percent for tomatoes and 32 percent for eggplants over a 5- to 21-day storage cycle,” the DA said.

The official launch and transfer of the ZEC-C technology will take place later this month in Nueva Vizcaya, where two units with one-ton capacities will be awarded. Additional units, ranging from 200 kilograms to one ton, are earmarked for Isabela.