The Department of Science and Technology (DOST)-Davao said on Wednesday that DOST-Davao will develop a packaging system for the vegetables and fruits at the Davao Food Terminal Complex (DFTC) in Barangay Daliao, Toril in Davao City.
In partnership with the City Agriculturist’s Office (CAgrO), DOST-Davao will develop a packaging system for proper handling and longer shelf life of high-value vegetables and fruits.
“Ang gagawin na project ng DOST doon ay para siyang packaging development para yung mga gulay lalong lalo na yung high value vegetables and fruits magagawan ng proper packaging para ma-lessen yung losses. Significant ang losses ng fruits and vegetables kapag hindi properly packaged and stored. Ang intervention is we are trying to develop packaging systems para maging efficient ang handling ng fruits and vegetables and also hahaba ang shelf life ng vegetables,” Arnel M. Rodriguez, city director of DOST-Davao, said during Wednesdays media forum at Habi at Kape at Abreeza Mall.
Rodriguez is hoping that by next year, properly packaged fruits and vegetables from DFTC will be available for the public and consumers.
“Hopefully, by next year we will start seeing these products as a result of that project,” he said.
The DFTC, which is a P70-Million project funded by the Department of Agriculture in Davao Region (DA-11) and started trading operations in October last year, serves as the city’s official wholesale trading facility for all fruits and vegetables.
The DFTC has a spacious cold storage facility with eight refrigerated containers. All fruits and vegetables from neighboring regions will be directed through the DFTC before reaching the retail markets in the city.
Since it is a wholesale “bagsakan,” the facility is open 24/7.
