Markspen launches Granifrigor Grain Cooling System in Sri Lanka

 PIC BY KITHSIRI DE MEL

By Kurulu Koojana Kariyakarawana

In a bid to reduce post-harvest losses and provide greater economic benefits to local rice and grain farmers the Markspen Group recently launched innovative German agritech device Granifrigor Grain Cooling Device making a giant leap in the agro harvest sector. 

Markspen Group, the leading distributor of globally renowned modern agricultural machinery in Sri Lanka, introduced the pioneering cooling device, manufactured by Germany’s FrigorTec GmbH, draws from a 60-year legacy backed by specialized knowledge, domain expertise and technology acumen in agricultural cooling systems. Today Granifrigor is used in over 80 countries with specific models built to meet different climatic conditions as well as operating voltage standards. 

The event was graced by Deputy Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Chathuranga Abeysinghe, Agricultural Engineer and Asia Area Manager at FrigorTec GmbH Dr. Claus M. Braunbeck and Chairman of Markspen Group Amil Galanga among other senior management and esteemed guests. Markspen Group is an authorized Importer and distribution partner for FrigorTec products in Sri Lanka. 

Dr. Claus M. Braunbeck during his speech said “we are committed to improving the lives and livelihoods of farmers by improving their efficiency and productivity, and creating significant and sustainable growth across the agricultural sector”. With over 20 years of international experience in post-harvest technology, Dr. Braunbeck offered expert insights on the Granifrigor, and the significance of preventing spoilage, insect damage, and mold growth via grain cooling systems, particularly in tropical climates. 

Deputy Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Chathuranga Abeysinghe addressing the gathering said in Sri Lanka, the cultivation of rice and other grain is central to the country’s agriculture, and is equally crucial to the national economy as well as for food security in Sri Lanka. Despite this significance, grain cultivation faces a multitude of challenges from climate change to volatile market prices, lack of credit access and post-harvest losses. 

A majority of these post-harvest losses occur during storage due to improper and inadequate storage facilities. Such storage facilities lead to fluctuations in moisture content, and pest infestations from the likes of rodents and insects. These poor storage practices allow for considerable damage to stored rice, grain, spices and similar dry crops contributing towards post-production losses of up to 20%. 

In order to reduce these losses, many local farmers resort to the use of chemical pesticides and insecticides on stored grain, while uninformed and unaware of proper practices in chemical usage. Such improper usage of chemicals can lead to various risks across the agriculture value chain; from overexposure for farmers and health risks to consumers, to environmental contamination from the misuse and improper disposal of pesticides. 

Chairman of Markspen Group Amil Galanga said the Granifrigor cooling device can be used to immediately cool down rice, corn, and other types of grain as well as pepper, cloves, cinnamon and various spices that require dry, cool storage, independent of the external environmental condition. This innovative technology effectively prevents the spoiling of freshly harvested crops by controlling storage temperature below 13 degrees Celsius at all times, eliminating moisture and mould buildup within the storage unit, thereby allowing for their natural, high quality preservation. 

“This product launch further strengthens Markspen’s mission to empower Sri Lankan farmers and entrepreneurs with the latest in agritech. We are committed to improving the efficiency and productivity among our farmers, thereby enriching their lives and livelihoods while also driving significant and sustainable growth across the local agricultural sector,” the Chairman said.