THE Zero Energy Cool Chamber (ZECC) has been designed to prolong the shelf life of highly perishable fruits and vegetables without using electricity.
A product of research designed by the Cagayan Valley Research Center (CVRC) of the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office 2 (DA-RFO2), it can store up to 1,000 kilos of tomatoes.
During the radio program “Usapang Agrikultura,” Chonalyn PascuaI of the DA-RFO2 CVRC cited their test results: “Tomatoes, when stored inside the ZECC, lasted up to 31 days retaining their shine and color, even when cooked. Whereas when it is only at room temperature, it will only last for three days; the fruits start to become soft and the color starts to fade.”
Test results showing crops placed in the ZECC. PHOTOS COURTESY OF DA REGION 2 OFFICE
The ZECC looks like an ice chest with a width of 1.2 meters, 2.5 meters in length and 1.2 meters in height. It has a space on its four sides to hold coals that are wetted every day to keep the chamber cold, which also serves as an insulator so that heat cannot penetrate.
Eggplants stored within the chamber for seven days remained fresh compared to those not placed in the chamber, which were dry and spoiling.
The CVRC is ready for adoption for its mass production for farmers. According to DA-RFO2 Executive Director Rose Mary Aquino, this invention solves the farmers’ problems of throwing away produce while waiting to construct a cold storage or processing facility, which is the DA’s long-term plan.
Some farmers’ cooperatives and associations in the region are using ZECC.
Meanwhile, the DA-CVRC has allocated P1 million in funds for the mass manufacturing of the ZECC which should be available for distribution before Christmas in time with the heavy influx of fruits and vegetables during that season.
The DA targets to give ZECC to the Bagsakan Centers in Nueva Vizcaya, the Nueva Vizcaya Agricultural Terminal in Bambang town and the farmers in Roxas, Isabela, and other large markets.
DA training centers in the region will be given prototypes, which can be shown to office visitors. Aquino said the “design will also be open to anyone who wants to copy or adapt the ZECC technology without any royalty fee being charged.”
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