SRINAGAR: In Jammu Kashmir, the government has focused on addressing the critical shortfall in cold storage capacity, which is essential for preserving perishable agricultural produce. The state has been identified as one of the regions facing significant challenges in this regard, with a requirement for an additional 907,842 metric tonnes of cold storage capacity, as per a 2015 study by NABARD Consultancy Services (NABCONS), according to details revealed by the government in response toa question in the Lok Sabha.
Nationwide, the shortfall in cold storage capacity has been a pressing issue for the agricultural sector. The study highlighted a capacity requirement of 351 lakh metric tonnes, with the existing infrastructure falling short at 318.23 lakh metric tonnes. This shortage has been particularly impactful in states like Uttar Pradesh, which accounts for over 33 per cent of the cold storage facilities dedicated to a single product.
Over the past five years, efforts have been made under various government schemes to improve this infrastructure. Under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana (PMKSY), 117 cold storage projects were sanctioned across India, with Jammu & Kashmir receiving one such facility. The Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) has also been a key player in supporting the construction of cold storage facilities, with 27 such projects in Jammu & Kashmir.
To address the concerns surrounding single-product cold storage, the government has introduced initiatives to diversify the cold storage capacity, particularly by promoting multi-commodity and multi-chamber cold storage units. These efforts aim to increase the flexibility of cold storage systems, making them more adaptable to diverse agricultural outputs. The government’s financial assistance schemes, including subsidies for cold storage construction, are designed to encourage both individual entrepreneurs and collective groups like farmers’ organisations to invest in this essential infrastructure.
The government is also providing further support through the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF), which offers collateral-free loans and interest subvention for creating post-harvest infrastructure, including cold storage units. This comprehensive approach is part of the broader effort to strengthen agricultural infrastructure across the country and reduce post-harvest losses, thereby improving the livelihoods of farmers and ensuring better access to markets for their produce.
