Tanzania plans cold rooms to cut crop waste
The government is exploring simple technology to preserve perishable produce like bananas and vegetables.
The Tanzanian government is considering building cold rooms in markets nationwide to reduce post-harvest losses, Agriculture Minister Daniel Chongolo announced on Saturday, October 31, 2026. The initiative, part of the Sh700 million (US$264,835) Mamsera project, aims to use cost-effective technology to preserve perishable goods such as bananas, fruits, and vegetables. This will allow farmers more time to sell their produce instead of losing it to spoilage.
Chongolo stated that the facilities would help store bananas showing signs of spoilage safely, preventing the waste of invested time and resources. Jenifa Audiface, a local trader and farmer, noted that the current lack of cold storage forces farmers to sell harvests at low prices to avoid spoilage. Deputy Permanent Secretary Prof Peter Msofe confirmed the Mamsera Market construction is 70% complete and expected to improve market access for banana and avocado farmers.
The Minister also directed construction to begin at the Holili International Grain Market by April 2027, with a design including space for a fruit and vegetable market. Rombo MP Prof Adolf Mkenda said this would provide access to markets like Kenya, enabling farmers to earn dollars from exports, such as Tanzanian bananas sold in Dubai.
Why it mattersFarmers will benefit from reduced crop spoilage and improved market access.