Parliament Question: Cold chain coverage and post-harvest losses in Odisha

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO: 3266 ANSWERED ON 20TH MARCH, 2026 COLD CHAIN COVERAGE AND POST-HARVEST LOSSES IN ODISHA 3266. SHRI SUBHASISH KHUNTIA: Will the Minister of FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES be pleased to state: (a) whether Government is aware that fruit and vegetable wastage in India continues to be around 15 per cent and that several districts in Odisha-including major horticulture belts-still lack functional cold storage facilities; (b) if so, the number of cold chain projects sanctioned and operational in the State under Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana (PMKSY); and (c) whether any steps are proposed to expand coverage to the districts with zero cold storage capacity, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI RAVNEET SINGH) (a): The Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) estimates post-harvest losses from time to time for various agri-produces in the country through commissioning of studies based on primary surveys. Two studies were commissioned by the Ministry through (i) Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR) -Central Institute of Post-Harvest Engineering & Technology (CIPHET), 2015 with reference year 2012-14 and (ii) NABARD Consultancy Service Pvt. Ltd (NABCONS), 2022 with reference year 2020-22. As per the last study conducted by NABCONS, the post-harvest losses in respect of fruits range from 6.02 % to 15.05 % and for vegetables from 4.87 % to 11.61 %. However, the Ministry has not conducted any study to assess the requirement of functional cold storage facilities in respect of Odisha. (b): Under Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana (PMKSY), Ministry has sanctioned 8 cold chain projects in Odisha. Out of this 5 projects are operational. (c): Ministry does not set up any project on its own under any scheme of PMKSY. Cold Chain scheme is also demand driven in nature, implemented across the country including Odisha. The proposals under the schemes are invited through Expression of Interest (EOI) from time to time. No such proposal is under consideration of the Ministry to expand coverage to the districts with zero cold storage capacity. *****