By Tupou Vaipulu Jr.

Crown Prince Tupouto’a ‘Ulukalala launched a new Cool Storage and Solar Powered Facility for farm produce located at Nishi Trading, ‘Utulau, Tongatapu, today.

The facility will help farmers store their products at controlled temperatures while awaiting shipment. It is expected to improve crop quality and market accessibility, allowing growers to generate higher profits and provide a more sustainable living for their families.

Nishi Trading Spokesperson, Sela Maka, said that a recent survey revealed that all growers reinvest their income back in to farming, as well as school fees, church contributions, family commitments, transportation and loan repayments.

The solar powered facility lowers the dependency on fossil fuels.

According to a Nishi Trading evaluation, all participating Nishi farmers recently reported a significant savings from their harvest as a result of the lower costs for cold storage.

The Chairman for Pacific Farmer Organization and Managing Director for Nishi Trading, Mr. Minoru Nishi Jr thanked the Crown Prince and Crown Princess Sinaitakala for officially launching the facility.

Nishi Food

Nishi Trading have also invested in a food processing facility to increase returns for a network of over 100 growers and farmers and to reduce food waste.

“We’ve seen the opportunity for our growers to maximize their returns by transforming their raw produce into value added product,” said Minoru. This includes frozen, dried or processed products.

“With Nishi Foods established in 2019, our farmers have been able to divert up to 60% of what used to be waste, into higher value products.”