A United States Department of Agriculture delegation visited a Farmers Mini Cold Storage facility run by Bangladesh’s Department of Agricultural Extension in Savar, near Dhaka, on Tuesday. The visitors praised the technology used to preserve agricultural products and said small-scale modern storage at farm level could reduce waste and support market management. The delegation expressed interest in the potential of such technology and in working with Bangladesh on the issue.

The group included Dr Catherine Fiedler, director of USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services for South Asia; Erin Covert, agricultural attaché at the US Embassy in Dhaka; and USDA agricultural specialist Md Tanvir Ahmed. They inspected mangoes, gourds, papayas, green chilies and other produce stored in plastic crates, asking about storage dates, duration and temperature control. Project officials said most fruits and vegetables can remain fresh for one week to one month.

Project director Talha Zubair Mashrur said the storage system helps farmers avoid losses from rapidly perishable produce and sell at more favorable times. The delegation said it would meet the Agriculture Ministry after the field visit. Funded by the Bangladesh Climate Change Trust Fund, the project has built 147 mini cold storage facilities in districts across the country.