Cold storage is a facility where temperatures are low so that perishable products can last longer and we can get our products right throughout the year. Ever wondered how we get to have exotic fruits, vegetables, groceries, and ice creams from across the globe all-round the year. Thanks to Temperature controlled Warehouses called Cold Storage(s).
Cold storage warehousing involves the storing of perishable or other sensitive goods like food, medicines, and artwork at a specific temperature range to maintain their integrity, shelf-life, and quality.
Background
- India is the second-largest producer of fruits and vegetables in the world. The production of horticulture crops was about 311.71 million tonnes from an area of 25.43 million hectares in 2017-18,5 of which 1% was exported from the country.
- Grapes, Pomegranates, Mangoes, Bananas, Oranges account for a majority of fruit exports and onions, mixed vegetables, potatoes, tomatoes, and green chili contribute to the vegetable export basket.
- The major importers of Indian fruits and vegetables are Bangladesh, UAE, Nepal, Malaysia, UK, Sri Lanka, Oman and Qatar. India is an agrarian country with more than 50% of its people directly or indirectly depending on agriculture and allied sectors; however, the sector contributes only 17% to the GDP.
- The agriculture sector is characterized by instability in income due to the risks involved, including fluctuations in production, market demand and prices.
- The Government of India, recognizing the importance of the cold chain sector, has formulated multiple missions, schemes and committees under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare.
- The inter-ministerial committee on Doubling of Farmers’ Income (DFI) has emphasized the importance of agri-logistics, of which some cold chain components could also be a part, which would form the backbone of future agricultural development as part of reforms in the market architecture.
Journey of Cold Storage
- The birth of cold-chain in India could be traced back to setting up of the first cold storage units in Kolkata in 1892.
- The development of the industry in a scientific manner was initiated post-independence with the “Cold Storage Order, 1964” coming in effect under the Section 3 of Essential Commodities Act, 1955. The Act was applicable all over India.
Subsequently States like West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab etc. enacted their own acts after promulgation of a cold storage order known as Central Cold Storage Order 1980.- Directorate of Marketing & Inspection (DMI), Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India, enforced the Central Cold Storage Order 1980. Till then, there had been a controlled growth of this sector.
- The first step to accelerate the growth of cold-chain was taken by Govt. of India by appointing a High Level Expert Committee (HLEC) in November 1998 under the Chairmanship of Shri J N L Srivastava, former Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperation for improving the cold storage/other storages in the country.
- As on 31 March 2014, there were 6891 cold storage units created with a total storage size of 31.82 million tonnes. The integrated cold-chain development was lacking and need for a scheme to promote the same was felt.
- In 2005-06, a mission mode approach to developing horticulture was initiated with the launch of National Horticulture Mission (NHM) in addition to the existing Horticulture Mission for North Given the significance of agriculture in India’s economy, the development of an integrated cold chain is critical for improving farmers’ livelihoods, reducing avoidable post-harvest food loss and waste, and ensuring the sustainability of the entire agricultural value chain from the farmer to the consumer.
Offerings
- Cold storage/ Cold Pack Houses is a small walk-in cooler or freezer with area 1,000 sq ft or less to 200,000 sq ft or more, warehouses at freezing temperatures or cooler (chiller) temperatures.
- Cold storage is used to store fruits, vegetables, processed meat, Dairy Products, Spices, Dry fruits, jaggery, pulses, frozen foods, chemicals, and pharmaceutical products.
- Prolonging and preserving the shelf life of food without compromising on the nutritive value.
- Cold storage units also offer infrastructure facility along the entire supply chain ie: pre-cooling, weighing, sorting, grading, waxing process, package, and deliver goods almost anywhere in refrigerated couriers across the globe, meaning the prescribed temperature of the product remains the same till it reaches the hands of the consumer.