The Namibian Government has started a campaign to build cold storage facilities across the nation in the form of 'fresh produce hubs', website Newera.com.na reported.

Until now the African country has faced spoilage problems due to the lack of appropriate facilities, but the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry aims to change all that.

The ministry's production unit manager Petrus Uugwanga, told the website the new infrastructure would bring a welcome relief to the industry, which in the past has faced huge post-harvest losses.

"An increase in local fresh produce will ultimately result in the reduction of the country's dependency on imported fresh produce and also help curb domestic capital outflow," Uugwanga was quoted as saying.

The government has already embarked on the construction of cold storage facilities in Ongwediva and Rundu, with the projects due for completion in April 2012. The story reported other facilities have been slated for Windhoek and Helao Nafidi.

Uugwanga highlighted the project would create more jobs and present new business opportunities, such as processing, packaging, transportation, haulage, logistics, branding and grading, the story reported.

Namibia recorded 20.8% growth in horticultural production last year.

www.freshfruitportal.com