The cold chain refers to a temperature-controlled supply chain that is essential for the storage, transportation, and distribution of perishable products such as fruits, vegetables, dairy, meat, poultry, and fish. A robust cold chain infrastructure helps in reducing post-harvest losses, enhancing shelf life, ensuring food safety, and delivering quality produce to consumers.

 

Integrated Cold Chain and Value Addition Infrastructure Scheme

🧊 Introduction to Cold Chain Infrastructure

In India, due to significant agricultural production, developing cold chain facilities is crucial for minimizing wastage and enhancing farmers’ income. To address this, the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) launched the “Integrated Cold Chain and Value Addition Infrastructure Scheme”.

🎯 Objective of the Scheme

The core objective of the scheme is to provide integrated cold chain and preservation infrastructure facilities without any break — "from farm gate to the consumer." The aim is to create a seamless supply chain for perishable items by:

• Minimizing post-harvest losses

• Ensuring better price realization for farmers

• Strengthening backward and forward linkages

• Improving the quality and safety of food products

• Reducing supply chain gaps for perishable food items

🔧 Components Covered Under the Scheme

The scheme supports infrastructure development across the entire supply chain, including:

🔹 At the Farm Level:

• Pre-cooling facilities

• Weighing, sorting, grading, and waxing units

• Basic packaging infrastructure

🔹 At the Distribution Level:

• Multi-product / Multi-temperature cold storage

• Controlled Atmosphere (CA) storage

• Individual Quick Freezing (IQF)

• Blast freezing units

• Packing facilities

🔹 Transportation & Distribution:

• Reefer vans and trucks

• Mobile cooling units

• Support for both horticulture and non-horticulture products, including meat, dairy, poultry, and fish (excluding shrimp)

This integrated approach ensures value addition, better market access, and minimized losses throughout the supply chain.

👥 Eligible Entities for Setting Up Projects

The scheme is open to a wide range of entities including:

• Partnership or Proprietorship Firms

• Companies (private or public)

• Corporations

• Cooperatives and Self Help Groups (SHGs)

• Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs)

• Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)

• Central and State Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs)

All entities must meet the eligibility conditions outlined in the scheme guidelines and submit a detailed project proposal for evaluation and approval.

📈 Implementation Status and History

The scheme was launched in 2008 and has since facilitated the development of numerous cold chain projects across India. It continues to be implemented under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan SAMPADA Yojana (PMKSY).

🔸 Progress Highlights:

• Hundreds of integrated cold chain projects have been sanctioned and operationalized across various states.

• Focused support has led to the establishment of modern storage, refrigeration, and transport systems in both rural and urban areas.

• Encouraged public-private partnerships (PPP) to scale infrastructure investment and reduce the wastage of perishable goods.

For updated details on implementation, project-wise progress, and performance reviews, users can refer to the official MoFPI website or contact state-level nodal agencies.

💰 Financial Assistance and Support Pattern

Under the scheme, financial assistance (grant-in-aid) is provided for eligible capital expenditure related to the project.

📌 Grant Support Details:

• Up to 35% of the total project cost in general areas

• Up to 50% in difficult and hilly areas, including the North-Eastern Region, Himalayan states, and SC/ST entrepreneurs

This support helps reduce the financial burden on project developers and encourages widespread adoption of cold chain technology.

🌿 Importance and Impact of the Scheme

The scheme plays a pivotal role in:

• Enhancing income for farmers by reducing post-harvest losses

• Enabling value addition at different stages of the supply chain

• Facilitating access to national and international markets

• Supporting agro-processing industries through reliable raw material supply

• Improving food security and export potential

Additionally, the scheme aligns with national objectives like “Doubling Farmers’ Income”, “Make in India”, and “Atmanirbhar Bharat” by empowering rural and agro-based entrepreneurs.

🔍 Challenges and Way Forward

Key Challenges:

• Lack of awareness among farmers and small producers

• High capital investment despite grants

• Power supply and infrastructure limitations in rural areas

Suggested Improvements:

• Promote cluster-based development for better economies of scale

• Encourage capacity building and training

• Integrate digital technologies like IoT, temperature sensors, and GPS tracking

• Expand last-mile connectivity to remote regions

✅ Conclusion

The Integrated Cold Chain and Value Addition Infrastructure Scheme is a strategic initiative that addresses critical gaps in India’s perishable food supply chain. By fostering farm-to-fork cold chain linkages, the scheme not only enhances farmers' earnings but also improves food quality and reduces national food wastage. Continued support, monitoring, and innovation will further strengthen its impact and ensure sustainable agricultural growth in the country.

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