Source: PIB & Ministry of Food Processing Industries
The Scheme for Integrated Cold Chain, Value Addition and Preservation Infrastructure was launched during 2008.
Objective
The objective of the scheme is to provide integrated cold chain, preservation and value addition infrastructure facilities without any break, from the farm gate to the consumer in order to reduce post-harvest losses of horticulture and non-horticulture agri-produce.
Eligible organizations/ entities
Integrated cold chain and value addition infrastructure projects can be set up by Partnership/ Proprietorship Firms, Companies, Corporations, Cooperatives, Self Help Groups (SHGs), Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), NGOs, Central/State PSUs, etc. with business interest in cold chain solutions and also by those who manage supply chain.
Components of the scheme
The scheme allows flexibility in project planning with special emphasis on the creation of cold chain infrastructure at farm level. The scheme will have the following project components:
- Farm Level Infrastructure, which may include processing center, situated in the catchment area of the targeted produce
- Distribution hub: This shall have a modern multi-product, multi-temperature cold storage.
- Refrigerated vans/ refrigerated trucks/ insulated vans/mobile insulated tankers.
- Irradiation facility.
To avail financial assistance under this scheme, the applicant will have to set up Farm Level Infrastructure as mentioned at (1) above and any one or both of the components from (2) and (3) above. Considering the functional nature of the facility, the irradiation component will be treated as a standalone facility for the purpose of availing grant under the scheme.
Projects and their Significance
- The Ministry of Food Processing Industries had announced sanction of 30 Cold Chain Projects in 2015.
- In the Ministry announces sanction of 101 new integrated Cold Chain Projects spread across the country. These projects are for fruits and vegetables, dairy, fish, meat, marine, poultry, ready to eat/ready to cook sectors.
- These Integrated Cold Chain projects will not only provide a big boost to the growth of food processing infrastructure in the concerned states but also help in providing better prices to farmers and is a step towards doubling of farmers’ income.
- The infrastructure will also reduce wastage of perishables, add value to the agricultural produce and create huge employment opportunities, especially in rural areas.
