Small cold stores will be a game changer for gardeners : Dr Bains

A one-day workshop on “Cold Storage Revolution” was organized by EESL at Holiday Home, Shimla, to help orchardists in Himachal Pradesh better store their produce, secure fair market prices, and reduce post-harvest losses. Horticulturists, along with officials from the Horticulture Department and representatives from various organizations, participated in the workshop. Dr. Vidya Prakash Bains, Additional Director of Horticulture, chaired the workshop.
Dr. Bains said that the workshop has been organized under the guidance of Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu, Horticulture Minister Jagat Singh Negi and Secretary Horticulture Dr. C. Paul Rasu and under the leadership of Chief General Manager of NABARD Anil Kumar Chaudhary as part of the efforts to make the horticulture sector of the state modern, sustainable and market oriented.
He explained that with such storage facilities, orchardists will no longer be forced to sell their produce immediately after harvest. They will be able to preserve their crops and decide their own timing of sales based on market demand and prices.
The workshop provided detailed information on scientific storage techniques for crops like apples and stone fruits using modern and sustainable cooling systems. Presentations were also given on technologies such as solar-based cooling systems, along with electrical and thermal backup.

HP-Shiva Project Director Dr. Sameer Singh Rana, NABARD Chief General Manager Vivek Pathania along with representatives of various OEMs provided information to the gardeners and officials in the workshop regarding the utility of small cold stores, scientific storage and better market linkage.
Officials said that under the Integrated Horticulture Mission, small cold storage facilities with a capacity of 5 and 10 metric tons can be established at a 50 percent subsidy. The primary objective of this initiative is to provide modern storage technology to small and medium-sized growers, enabling them to preserve their produce and make sales decisions based on market conditions. Experts said that with the concept of “farm-to-market safe production, better storage, and better prices,” small cold storage facilities can play a vital role in strengthening Himachal’s horticulture economy.