Necessity is indeed the Mother of Invention!
Confronted with the problem of high rate of spoilage in the shipment of Lanzones in carton boxes to Baguio City last week, I conducted an experiment in my farm two days ago.
I placed my newly harvested Lanzones packed in plastic bags in two styrofor boxes and stuffed it with ground ice.
The boxes were then sealed and kept closed for two days.
When the boxes were opened today, the Lanzones was in perfect shape and same color as when we packed it two days earlier.
This is not an original idea, actually.
I learned this technique from Japanese vegetable experts helping our Cordillera farmers deliver fresh vegetables to Metro Manila.
They placed ground ice in the vegetable boxes and delivered crispy fresh vegetables to the market.
This technology could spell a lot of difference in the shipment of highly perishable Mindanao fruits to Luzon and the Visayas.
Of course, there will be added costs because of the styro box, ice and added weight.
With quality fresh fruits, however, the farmers could sell at a better price.
(Photos of the Lanzones were taken one day and two days after packing this in ice boxes.)
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