COOL ROOMS HEAT UP PRICES FOR FARMERS

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In order to expand apple storage and extend the life of fresh apples for local farmers, USAID funded the construction of two cool storage rooms with the storage capacity of 25 metric tons each in Maidan Wardak province.

To construct and design the rooms, Roots of Peace worked in partnership with the Department of Agriculture, Irrigation & Livestock, and two local farmers.

The farmers contributed labor and 25% of the construction cost in cash. The remaining 75%, or $8,000 USD, was provided by USAID.

Before construction of cool rooms, farmers were all selling the same products at the same time, and prices stayed low. In a cool room, produce stays fresh longer so it can be sold after the peak season.

Higher offseason prices increase profits and stabilize businesses for farmers.

Kyleigh Kuhn