Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus asked the Netherlands for help to build cold storage units in Bangladeshi villages to keep fruits and vegetables fresh and cut big losses for farmers. He made the request during a meeting with Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof at the United Nations General Assembly in New York. Bangladesh grows large amounts of mangoes, jackfruit, guavas and other crops, but many farmers lose food when harvests come in fast and local markets are crowded. Short term cold rooms near farms would let growers store their produce for days or weeks so they can sell at better prices and avoid waste. Professor Yunus said the Netherlands is a world leader in farming technology and asked for help with cold storage design, training and research partnerships to bring Dutch skills to village areas. He suggested Dutch scientists could work directly with farmers to test low cost ways to keep fruit fresh and improve packing and transport. Local cold storage would reduce truck journeys to distant markets and cut the chance of damage and spoilage along the road, saving money and lowering emissions. Experts say adding cold chain points near fields often raises farm income and helps create local jobs in handling and storage. Professor Yunus noted that hundreds of thousands of tonnes of fruits and vegetables rot each year when no place exists to keep them cool after harvest. He also sought Dutch help with water and river management and maritime tools that can help move goods safely and keep rivers open for boats. Prime Minister Schoof said he would look into the ideas and showed interest in learning more about cooperation in areas such as textiles and technology. The meeting included advisers who will follow up on steps for cooperation and study what technology fits village needs and what costs and training are required. Simple sensor tools and safety checks will help keep stored produce clean and fit to eat, while better packing and record keeping will keep quality high. Farmers would gain choices about when to sell and how much to send to markets, and buyers would get steadier supplies of fresh fruit during the year. With clear plans and fair partnerships, small cold storage sites can help farmers earn more, cut waste and support local food trade without major disruption. Communities that adopt these steps can build stronger local markets, steady income and better food for everyone. Cold storage can also help scale exports by meeting quality rules and keeping fruit fresh for longer journeys overseas. This work would involve training technicians, creating jobs for young people, and giving farmers new tools to run small businesses. Officials hope trials will start in pilot districts soon.
