Keeping in view the increase in the fruit production in the state over the past few years, the H.P. Horticulture Produce Marketing and Processing Corporation (HPMC) is working on a project to upgrading and establishing new cold storage stores and packing houses in the state.The World Bank funded Rs. 1134 crore Himachal Pradesh Horticulture Development project is being implemented in the state under which supply chain infrastructure support is to be provided to cater to the increased production of fruits grown in the state. The supply chain infrastructure support component of the project is being implemented by HPMC. The existing grading packing houses will be upgraded and capacities of controlled atmosphere stores will be increased from 3380 metric tonne to 10,000 metric tonne by the HPMC under this project. Moreover, the processing plants at Parwanoo and Jarol will also be upgraded by creating new facilities.In order to implement the projects and have facilities matching world class standards, consultants of international repute have been assigned the task of providing consultancy service. M/s Grant Thornton has been assigned the processing component of the project under which technologies of processing facilities will be upgraded and capacities expanded at Parwanoo and Jarol plants. The production capacity of the fruit processing plants would be increased to 2500 metric tonne.The Corporation plans to utilize the apple pomace at these facilities into high value pectin and manure which would generate additional income to the Corporation besides optimally utilizing the waste which has become a matter of concern for the corporation.
The upgraded machines would enable the Corporation to get better realization from the fruit processed and make it competitive in the international market due to its quality and price.Under the project, a fruit processing plant will be set up at Parala, in district Shimla and another at Chamba, which would further increase the processing capacities of the Corporation and utilize the processing grade apple procured under Market Intervention Scheme (MIS). These plants being established in the fruit growing areas, would help in better recovery of juice due to their being established in the fruit growing areas and make it cost effective due to reduced transportation costs.These facilities would be upgraded with an investment of Rs. 130 crores, informed the Managing Director, HPMC Madan Chauhan. According to him, for cold chain component of the project, consultancy arrangements have been made with M/s Wageningen University and Research, Netherlands and M/s Global Agri System Pvt. Ltd, New Delhi. The consultants would bring in international expertise in upgrading the existing facilities and in creation of new packing grading houses and controlled atmosphere stores. A team of the consultants recently held consultations with the officers of the state Horticulture Development Project and HPMC.The Corporation is also planning to have a hydro cooling facility for cherries at Jarol-Tikker which would enhance the shelf life of the fruit and make it reach the distant markets thereby resulting in better price realization for the farmers.
The capacities of the existing CA stores at Jarol-Tikker, Gumma, Oddi, Rohru would be increased from 700 metric tonne to 2000 metric tonne each. The increase in capacities would help the farmers in realizing better returns for their produce due to the better and prolonged storage systems. Under the project, the Corporation would have the latest cooling system by using ammonia pump-propylene glycol installation meeting the international norms for its efficiency and environmental safety.Consultants of the cold chain project have submitted the detailed project reports (DPR’s) for upgradation of grading and packing facilities and CA stores at Jarol-Tikker, Gumma and Rohru. The detailed report has also been given for hydro cooling facility at Jarol-Tikker. The corporation would ensure that the post infrastructure under the project is commissioned within the time schedule so that benefits under the project flow directly to the farmers of the state. Under the project, post harvest infrastructure of grading packing houses and CA stores is also proposed to be setup in areas where such facilities are not available. Such infrastructure would be setup at Bagsaid in district Mandi, Chowai in district Kullu, Giabong in district Kinnaur and Churah, Bharmour, Salooni and Pangi in district Chamba. A packing and grading facility is also proposed to be setup at Bhunter to cater to the increased production of pomegranate in district Kullu. An investment of about Rs. 110.00 crores will be made under the cold chain project.