SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir has 92 cold storage facilities with a combined capacity of 1,51,833 metric tonnes, the Union Ministry of Food Processing Industries informed Parliament, as the Centre outlined a multi-scheme strategy to address infrastructure gaps that continue to drive post-harvest losses and erode farmers’ incomes.
Replying to a starred question in the Lok Sabha, the Ministry said cold storage and refrigerated transport are being supported primarily through integrated food processing projects under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana (PMKSY) and allied agriculture schemes, rather than as standalone facilities. Jammu and Kashmir, classified as a difficult and Himalayan region, is eligible for higher central assistance of up to 50 percent of project cost, compared to 35 percent in general areas, across several components.
According to official data, the 92 cold storages in Jammu and Kashmir form part of 8,760 cold storage projects created nationwide, with a total capacity of 397.08 lakh metric tonnes as of January 31, 2025. While the Union Territory’s capacity is modest compared to large agrarian states such as Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal, officials stressed that targeted interventions in horticulture-dominated regions like Kashmir are critical due to the perishable nature of produce such as apples, vegetables and other fruits.
The Ministry said cold storage and refrigerated transport support is being extended through three key PMKSY components: Integrated Cold Chain and Value Addition Infrastructure, Agro Processing Clusters, and Operation Greens. These schemes provide grants-in-aid of up to Rs 10 crore for most projects and Rs 15 crore for integrated Operation Greens projects. However, they do not fund standalone cold stores, instead linking storage and transport to processing and value addition to ensure commercial viability.
In parallel, the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH), implemented by the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, supports pack houses, cold storages, ripening chambers and reefer transport through state-led annual action plans. Under MIDH, Jammu and Kashmir and other Himalayan states are eligible for 50 percent credit-linked back-ended subsidy, reflecting higher logistical costs and terrain challenges. The National Horticulture Board also provides capital investment subsidies for construction and modernisation of large cold storages, including controlled atmosphere facilities, which are particularly relevant for long-term apple storage in Kashmir.
To further bridge infrastructure gaps, the Centre has rolled out the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) of Rs 1 lakh crore, offering collateral-free loans up to Rs 2 crore with interest subvention for post-harvest infrastructure. Officials said cold storages in horticulture belts like Jammu and Kashmir are among the assets eligible for financing under the fund.
The Ministry acknowledged that infrastructure deficits have historically contributed to significant post-harvest losses, directly affecting farm incomes. Two national studies conducted in 2015 and 2022 estimated losses of up to 15 per cent in fruits and over 11 per cent in vegetables, with inadequate storage and logistics cited as a major factor. The government claimed that sustained interventions since 2015 have led to a decline in post-harvest losses across 42 of 45 commodities, resulting in annual savings of Rs 20,440 crore from 2021 onwards.
Beyond storage, the Centre highlighted investments in processing capacity and market linkage. Under PMKSY alone, 1,619 projects have been approved nationally, creating processing and preservation capacity of 269.61 lakh metric tonnes per annum, generating over 4.5 lakh jobs and benefiting nearly 36 lakh farmers. Additional support through the PM Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises scheme and the Production Linked Incentive Scheme for Food Processing Industries has further expanded processing capacity and employment.
