Have you ever wondered about the state of the country’s agricultural production? Do you have any idea how many hectares of land is used for growing fresh vegetables? How much fresh food is exported in order to generate revenue? And, more importantly, how much product rots as a result of the process? According to information provided by several shops, a significant percentage of farm products rots and spoils due to a shortage of cold storage options in the country. The worst thing is that, on the one hand, we have less product for consumption while, on the other hand, we have to deal with a forced increase in the cost of the produce that is available.

Also, Read- Fssai Registration Online

The Function of Cold Storage:

A walk-in freezer that may be used to keep perishable foods and pharmaceuticals cool is referred to as cold storage. A typical cold storage unit has a refrigeration system that maintains the ideal room environment with regulated temperature control, preventing microorganisms from contaminating food and storing commodities. A refrigeration system should ideally operate on one of two principles: vapor absorption system (VAS) or vapor compression system (VCS) (VCS). Modular refrigerator rooms, combination refrigerator rooms, and industrial cool rooms are three typical types of storage facilities.

Cold storage facilities have not increased significantly as science and technology have progressed. Perishable food and dairy products necessitate the use of cold storage facilities to maintain and preserve them.

India’s Cold Storage Statistics:

The most frequent vegetables grown in India include potato, onion, tomato, cauliflower, cabbage, bean, eggplants, cucumber, gherkin, peas, garlic, and okra. Fruits on the list include mangoes, grapes, apples, apricots, oranges, bananas, avocados, guava, litchi, papaya, and watermelons.

The country has made strides in expanding exports of ready-to-drink beverages, processed fruits, fruit juices and pulps, and vegetable goods over the years. However, due to a lack of suitable cold storage and other related facilities, nearly one-third of our horticultural produce, or a significant portion of the overall production of fresh vegetables and fruits, is squandered. Improvements in post-harvest management techniques will add value to offset this massive annual loss of Rs. 500 billion. These data were mentioned in the National Commission of Farmers’ fifth and final report.

Agricultural Marketing and Cold Storage: What’s the Connection?

India is the world’s largest producer of fruits and the world’s second greatest producer of veggies. It is possible to raise the potential agricultural output by addressing post-harvest management difficulties, expanding the number of cold storage in the country, and implementing cold chain management.

Cold storage has a lot of potential for business.

The need for food goods, as well as the requirement for more cold storage, is always increasing as the population grows and the demand for agricultural produce grows. Perishable foods are the most popular and fastest-growing segment of agricultural commerce. It does, in fact, contain the most profitable business potential, but at a significant cost of investment.

Despite the fact that the cold storage industry is an undeveloped market with strong growth prospects, investors are hesitant to invest in it due to infrastructure issues and the difficulty in maintaining fresh produce.

How to Begin a Cold Storage Facility:

Cold storage is included in the Small Scale Industrial (SSI) Units category. The Office of Horticulture Board or a comparable department of a local IAS officer can provide assistance. The FSSAI license can be applied for online. The documentation needed for an FSSAI license varies depending on the type of registration required. Depending on your annual turnover, you may need to fill out a Simple Registration Form A or Food License Form B. In the case of small FBOs, registration with the Food Authority is all that is required.

The Food Safety Authority of India (FSSAI) and the Food Safety License:

Section 92 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and the Food Safety and Standards Regulation, 2010, require all food business operators (FBOs) and establishments to get a Food Safety License. This Food Safety license assures that FBOs follow the Act’s safety, cleanliness, and sanitary requirements. There are five basic steps to completing the registration form:

• Download Form-B from the FSSAI website and fill it out completely before submitting it online.

• It is necessary to have an active personal email address and a mobile phone number.

• When submitting an application, double-check that the name FBO is spelled correctly.

• Fill out the application online and save the unique Reference Id for future reference.

• Once you submit all required details, you will receive a confirmation mail.

Criteria for Licensing:

The requirements for a Cold Storage Unit’s licensing/registration should be based on turnover rather than storage capacity (MT).

• If your annual turnover is less than Rs. 12 lakhs, you merely require an FSSAI registration certificate.

• A licence from the State Licensing Authority is necessary if the annual turnover is higher than Rs. 12 lakhs and up to Rs. 30 crores.

• If your annual turnover exceeds Rs. 30 crores, you’ll need a licence from the Central Licensing Authority.

If you have several units distributed across various states, you will require a State or Central fssai licence for each Food Business Unit, as well as a Central License for your Head Office, as per the aforementioned criteria.