Food loss and waste have elevated to major worldwide policy concerns in recent years, particularly in developing nations like India. India is now the second-largest fruit and vegetable grower in the world, behind China, but since 2012–2013, horticulture production has exceeded food grain production. This Maharashtra region requires a cold storage facility for this fruit or vegetable. Which Areas In Maharashtra Needs Cold Storage Facility For Which Vegetable Or Fruit? We are going to explain everything about it. Keep reading to learn more about it.
Overview of Agriculture in Maharashtra India
A summary of agriculture in Maharashtra, India, is shown below:
- Crop Diversity: Maharashtra, an important agricultural state in India, is renowned for producing a wide variety of crops. Mangoes, grapes, bananas, oranges, wheat, rice, jowar, bajra, and legumes are some of the important food crops. A center for crop diversity, the region also cultivates cash crops like peanuts.
- Livestock and Horticulture: In addition to conventional crops, Maharashtra is renowned for its pomegranates, mangoes, and grapes. The state’s agricultural environment depends heavily on horticulture and cattle husbandry, which also contribute to its agricultural Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
- Agriculture plays a crucial role in Maharashtra’s economy by supporting a sizeable chunk of the population’s livelihoods. The fact that the state grows both food and cash crops emphasizes its economic importance.
- Government Initiatives: To boost agriculture in Maharashtra, the state government has launched a number of programs and projects. These initiatives seek to increase productivity, better farmers’ quality of life, and support environmentally friendly farming methods.
Crop diversity, including food and cash crops, horticulture, and livestock rearing, define Maharashtrian agriculture. Government programs, for productivity and sustainability, assist the entire program. It is essential to the state’s economy.
Demand for Cold Storage for Vegetables or Fruit in Maharashtra
The requirement for cold storage facilities in Maharashtra varies according to the kinds of fruits and vegetables grown in various regions. The following regions and the related produce need cold storage:
1. Mumbai and Western Maharashtra
Due to its thriving markets and agricultural pursuits, Mumbai and its neighbouring regions, particularly Western Maharashtra, are extremely advantageous locations for cold storage enterprises. There is a significant need for cold storage facilities in these locations for a variety of fruits and vegetables, including but not limited to:
- Mangos and grapes
- Tomatoes
- Peas and onions
- slender leaves
- tangerine fruits
- Chillies
Here, cold storage is crucial to maintaining the quality and extending the shelf life of these perishable items, particularly during periods of high production.
2. Other Regions
Maharashtra engages in a variety of agricultural pursuits in its various regions. All around the state, various fruits and vegetables are farmed. Depending on regional production patterns and environmental factors, different cold storage facilities may be required in different situations. Some examples of vegetables that require cold storage with high humidity levels include beets, carrots, parsnips, and horseradish.
3. Growing Agriculture
Maharashtra’s agriculture is expected to increase significantly with the availability of cold storage facilities. The state produces a wide variety of produce that can benefit from cold storage due to its varied environment and agricultural methods. In addition to fruits and vegetables, this also refers to dairy products and other perishable goods. As a result, there is a constant demand for more cold storage facilities to support the state’s agricultural industry.
How to Start Up Cold Storage Units in Maharashtra?
In Maharashtra, you should take the following actions to establish a cold storage business:
- Planning and investigation
In order to determine the need for cold storage services in your target area, start by performing market research. - Formulation of Business Plan
Make a business plan outlining your goals, spending plan, and operational plan. - Financial Prerequisites
Calculate the costs of your investment, which may involve buying or renting property, building the cold storage facility, and purchasing cooling equipment. - Cost
Starting a cold storage facility in Maharashtra for 5000 metric tonnes may cost roughly 4 crores, discounting the cost of the land. - Legal prerequisites
Get your company registered and the licenses and permits required for cold storage activities.
Location: - Ideal Location
Select a place that is convenient for your target audience. - Construction and equipment
Install insulation and temperature control systems in the cold storage facility.
Purchase high-quality cooling equipment to keep the optimum humidity and temperature levels. - Personnel and Training
Employing and educating employees to manage, keep an eye on, and maintain the cold storage. - Obtaining new clients through marketing
Create a marketing plan to draw in customers like farmers, wholesalers, and food manufacturers. - Observance and Security
Ensure adherence to hygienic and food safety requirements. Implement security procedures to safeguard products being stored. - Operations
Set up effective logistics and inventory control systems. - Financial Administration
Observe costs, income, and profitability. Think about applying for any available loans or subsidies for cold storage firms.
Planning carefully, making an investment, and adhering to legal regulations are necessary when starting a cold storage firm. To satisfy the changing needs of your customers in Maharashtra, it’s crucial to constantly review and improve your facilities and services.
Maharashtra's Cold Storage Facilities are Divided
Andhra Pradesh and Telangana (1.57 million tonnes), Gujarat (3.82 million tonnes), Punjab (2.32 million tonnes), Uttar Pradesh (14.71 million tonnes), and West Bengal (5.95 million tonnes) are the top five states in terms of installed total cold storage capacity. For 76.73 percent of the overall storage capacity, these top five states are responsible. Even though they are primarily single commodities and adjacent to production locations, there is a desire for multi-commodity and market hub cold storage with additional services.
However, there are a few more cold-chain components that need rapid attention, such as integrated pack houses, reefer trucks, and ripening chambers.
Many factors contribute to the success of self-storage businesses. They may still make money even if only half the rooms are occupied because they have a good profit margin of more than 11%. The cold storage sector has grown, and the market is anticipated to grow. Demand for self-storage is closely correlated with life and is stable enough to offer small- to medium-sized businesses additional storage. There should be all kinds of amenities accessible in Nashik, Pune, Ahmednagar, Solapur, Nagpur, and Jalgaon.
This blog is also worth reading for you: – How do I build a cold storage for storing farm products in Maharashtra?
Get In Touch With NSSPL For More Details.
Which Maharashtra company offers the greatest cold storage? The greatest and most reliable cold storage facilities in India are provided by NSSPL. By speaking with our specialists, you may learn more about the Maharashtra cold chain sector.
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