Haryana Partners with UK to Enhance Horticulture Cold-Chain Management

An international consortium under UK leadership is collaborating with the Haryana government to establish the Centre of Excellence on Sustainable Crop Post-Harvest Management and Cold-Chain at Panchkula. The initiative aims to reduce food loss in horticulture by creating a national framework for sustainable post-harvest practices and cold-chain management.

In a significant move to bolster the horticulture sector, an international consortium is collaborating with the Haryana government to establish a Centre of Excellence on Sustainable Crop Post-Harvest Management and Cold-Chain (CoE-SPMCC) at Panchkula.

Funded by the Haryana state government and supported by the UK's Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), the centre aims to create a national framework to minimize food loss and improve market access for farmers. The project is spearheaded by experts from the University of Birmingham, who lead a global team that includes UNEP.

Professor Toby Peters, the consortium leader, emphasized the economic significance of the initiative, noting that food loss substantially impacts farmers' incomes and the state's economy. The center will feature a comprehensive framework for sustainable post-harvest management and cold-chain practices to curb wastage and meet future agricultural needs.

(With inputs from agencies.)