Parliament Question: Plans to address lack of cold storage and transport facilities in Jammu and Kashmir

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1629 TO BE ANSWERED ON 13/02/2026 PLANS TO ADDRESS LACK OF COLD STORAGE AND TRANSPORT FACILITIES IN JAMMU AND KASHMIR 1629. SHRI SAT PAUL SHARMA: Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE be pleased to state: (a) whether Government has any specific plans to address the lack of cold storage and transportation facilities in Jammu and Kashmir, particularly for perishable goods like fruits, vegetables and dairy products; (b) if so, the expected timelines for these improvements; (c) whether the Ministry is collaborating or proposes to collaborate with other Ministries, such as the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways and the Ministry of Railways to enhance logistical infrastructure in Jammu and Kashmir for timely transportation of agricultural products, including saffron, apples and walnuts; (d) if so, the details thereof; and (e) the steps being taken to reduce/mitigate such losses? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE (SHRI RAMNATH THAKUR) (a) &(b): The Government of India is implementing various schemes for creation and strengthening of post-harvest management including cold chain infrastructure and transportation facilities for perishable goods like fruits, vegetables etc. across the country including the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir. Under the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH), assistance is provided for establishment of cold storage units, controlled atmosphere (CA) storage, pack houses, refrigerated vans, ripening chambers etc. Jammu & Kashmir, being a major horticulture producing region, is receiving assistance under MIDH based on proposals submitted by the UT of Jammu & Kashmir duly approved by the State Level Executive Committee (SLEC). Further, under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan SAMPADA Yojana (PMKSY) of the Ministry of Food Processing Industries, financial assistance is provided for creation of integrated cold chain and value addition infrastructure including reefer transport facilities. In addition, under the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF), medium to long-term debt financing facility is available for investment in post-harvest management infrastructure including cold storage and refrigerated transportation facilities.The Government has also extended support through schemes such as Operation Greens, which aims at stabilizing supply and reducing post-harvest losses of perishable crops by promoting value chain development including storage and transportation infrastructure. The development of cold storage and transportation facilities is a continuous process and depends upon viable project proposals received from the States/UTs, financial closure by project proponents and completion of projects as per approved timelines. The projects sanctioned under these schemes are implemented within a period generally ranging from 12 to 24 months, subject to statutory clearances and other procedural requirements. (c) & (d): Development of logistics infrastructure, including roads and rail connectivity, falls within the mandate of other Ministries such as the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways and the Ministry of Railways. The Government adopts a coordinated approach to enhance overall supply chain efficiency through improved multimodal transportation networks and strengthened last-mile connectivity. Enhanced rail and highway infrastructure facilitates the timely and efficient transportation of horticultural produce, including apples, saffron and walnuts, from Jammu & Kashmir to major consumption markets across the country. Further, the action for setting up of Multi Modal Logistics Park at Jammu for timely transportation of agricultural produce including saffron, apples and walnuts has already been initiated by Ministry of Road, Transportation and Highways. (e): To reduce and mitigate post-harvest losses, the Government is taking the following steps:  Promotion of scientific post-harvest management practices including grading, sorting and packaging;  Establishment of cold chain infrastructure from farm gate to market;  Encouraging Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) for aggregation and better market linkage;  Market reforms and digital platforms such as e-NAM for improved price discovery; and  Capacity building and technical guidance to farmers and stakeholders. The strengthening of logistical infrastructure is an ongoing process and is being implemented in coordination with concerned Ministries to ensure timely transportation and reduced post- harvest losses of Horticulture produce. *****