The Food and Agriculture Organization under USAIDfunded “The Horticulture Advancement Activity” or (THAzA) projectwill supportestablishingCold Storage Facility of 300 MT capacity to help farmers in Balochistan prolong the shelf life and marketability of their produce — ultimately resulting in increased profitable income andprotecting farmers from financial losses during the fluctuation of market prices.The THAzA initiative is funded by the United States Agency for International Department (USAID) with the goal to increase farmer’s incomes by strengthening the connections between horticultural producers in Balochistan and markets across Pakistan.

THAzA, a USAID-funded Project, which is implemented by FAO in Balochistan and the Newly Merged Districts (NMDs) of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province (KP), is designed to improve completeness of the potential horticultural Value Chains within the target regions and markets.

In her opening remarks, FAO Representative in Pakistan Ms. Florence Rolle said that FAO is working with farmers and smallholder producers to make agriculture work for the most vulnerable communitiesthrough this project. We have to show people – especially the youth – that agriculture is an income-generating occupation that is worth investing in. We have to open up opportunities for job creation for youth through competitive agricultural value chains and food processing.

Secretary Agriculture Mr. Umaid Ali Khokar said cold storage facilities are crucial to minimize post-harvest losses; however, it is one component that needs to be integrated in a cold chain network from the point of harvest to the point of purchase by the end consumer

FAO International Programme Coordinator in Balochistan Mr. Waleed Mahdi speaking at the signing ceremony for the establishment of cold storage facilities for proper use, hoped the first ever high-level grant in Balochistan would address the problems that farmers and traders previously faced. The farmers in Balochistan can now reap the benefits of cold storage and will be able to store their produce for longer and to avoid peak season glut in the markets and resultant low prices for producers.

THAzA project supports through in-kind matching grants aiming to address the major impediments in the trading of fresh horticultural produce. He added that it is good to see that the FAO’s technical support to smallholder producers and government institutions has already helped increase productive capacities in fresh fruits and vegetables, and spurred access to high-quality support services