Electric power blackout leaves horticulture producers at risk
An electric power blackout from Qoqa to Bishotu towns that has been lasted for a week is forced horticulture producers to cease their production, Origins Business learnt.
Tewodros Zedwie, Executive Director of Ethiopian Horticulture Producer Exporters Association (EHPEA) told Origins Business that the power blackout has plunged horticulture producers businesses.
“Horticulture farms refrigeration systems, which help to extend the shelf life of perishable products, farms irrigation scheme and the overall production process has faced a tough challenge due to the blackout,” Tewodros said.
“The power disruption is mainly halted the export trade of horticultures, which is so far being conducted in a daily basis,” he stressed. However, the value of export loss is under investigation, Tewodros explained.
The blackout is the result of electric infrastructures theft and damage, according to Tewodros. Origins Business’s effort to reach out to Ethiopian Electric Utility (EEU) on the matter did not bear fruit.
“These producers cannot utilize power from generator as alternative source of energy due to shortage of fuel,” Tewodros said.
