The Indian government and private sector have announced significant investments in cold chain infrastructure to address food wastage and boost the efficiency of the agricultural and food processing sectors. This initiative comes as part of a strategic push to strengthen the logistics and storage ecosystem, ensuring perishable items such as fruits, vegetables, dairy, fish, and meat retain their quality and reach markets promptly. With India losing nearly 30-40% of its perishable food due to inadequate cold chain facilities, this investment is expected to have a transformative impact.
The focus is on establishing modern cold storage units, refrigerated transport systems, and integrated packhouses across key agricultural regions. Public-private partnerships (PPP) are encouraged to build large-scale infrastructure with financial support, including subsidies and soft loans, under schemes like PM Kisan Sampada Yojana and the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH). To ensure sustainability, the investments will also prioritize technology adoption, such as IoT-enabled temperature control systems, AI-powered logistics, and energy-efficient refrigeration units.
States such as Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal are set to benefit significantly, given their strong agricultural output. Mega cold chain hubs are being planned near key food production clusters and ports to streamline exports. This infrastructure will reduce post-harvest losses and increase the shelf life of perishable goods, enabling farmers and food processors to access domestic and international markets more effectively.
The investment is also expected to empower farmers by providing better price realization and market linkages, as improved storage reduces distress sales during harvest seasons. Additionally, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in food processing will gain access to reliable storage and transport solutions, supporting their growth and competitiveness.
By reducing food wastage, enhancing supply chain efficiency, and ensuring food security, the cold chain infrastructure investment marks a significant step toward India becoming a global hub for processed and value-added agricultural products. The initiative is projected to boost farm incomes, create employment opportunities, and contribute to the country’s export growth while addressing food scarcity challenges and environmental concerns.
