By In a significant move to strengthen the agricultural infrastructure of Telangana, Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy laid the foundation stone for a 9,700 metric tonne (MT) capacity cold storage unit in Khammam district. The project is expected to benefit thousands of farmers by providing state-of-the-art storage facilities, minimizing post-harvest losses, and ensuring better price realization for agricultural produce.
Importance of Cold Storage in Agriculture
Agriculture continues to be the backbone of rural Telangana, with crops such as paddy, cotton, chillies, maize, and horticultural produce driving the local economy. However, farmers often face the challenge of post-harvest losses due to inadequate storage facilities. Perishable goods, especially fruits and vegetables, are prone to spoilage, leading to wastage and financial stress for cultivators.
Cold storage units serve as a vital solution to this problem by:
- Extending the shelf life of perishable goods.
- Helping farmers store produce until they receive better market prices.
- Reducing the role of middlemen.
- Supporting food processing and export opportunities.
Project Details
The new cold storage facility in Khammam will be one of the largest in the region. Key features include:
- Storage Capacity: 9,700 MT, enabling large-scale preservation of grains, fruits, vegetables, and chillies.
- Modern Infrastructure: Equipped with advanced refrigeration technology to maintain controlled temperature and humidity.
- Farmer-Friendly Access: Designed to be easily accessible to local farmers, farmer producer organizations (FPOs), and cooperatives.
- Employment Opportunities: The project is expected to generate both direct and indirect employment during construction and operation phases.
Government’s Vision
Speaking at the event, Minister Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy emphasized the government’s commitment to farmer welfare. He stated that the cold storage project aligns with the state’s larger vision of strengthening agricultural supply chains and ensuring farmers receive fair and remunerative prices for their produce.
He also highlighted that Telangana has been at the forefront of introducing farmer-friendly initiatives, including:
- Investment support schemes.
- Expansion of irrigation infrastructure.
- Market intervention policies.
- Setting up agro-based industries and warehouses.
The cold storage facility is seen as a natural extension of these initiatives, ensuring that farmers benefit not just during cultivation but also in post-harvest management.
Benefits for Farmers
The cold storage unit is expected to bring multiple benefits for farmers in Khammam and surrounding districts:
- Reduced Post-Harvest Losses: Farmers can store perishable items like chillies, mangoes, and tomatoes without worrying about quick spoilage.
- Better Price Realization: Instead of distress sales, farmers can wait for favorable market conditions.
- Increased Bargaining Power: With access to storage, farmers are less dependent on middlemen.
- Boost to Exports: Storage facilities can support export-oriented crops by maintaining quality standards.
- Support for Small Farmers: The facility will be accessible to small and marginal farmers through FPOs and cooperatives.
Role of Khammam in Telangana’s Agriculture
Khammam district is a major agricultural hub, known especially for its red chillies, cotton, and paddy cultivation. The district also produces fruits and vegetables in large quantities, but farmers often suffer due to lack of storage. The establishment of a large-scale cold storage facility is expected to transform the district into a strong agri-marketing center.
The government’s decision to invest in Khammam highlights the region’s potential as a key contributor to Telangana’s agricultural economy.
Stakeholder Response
Farmers and farmer associations have welcomed the initiative, stating that it will ease one of their long-standing demands. Many expressed hope that the cold storage will help stabilize incomes, particularly for perishable produce like chillies, which often face price fluctuations.
Agro-industry representatives also noted that such infrastructure would encourage value addition through food processing units, leading to more jobs and higher income for farmers.
Challenges Ahead
While the project is promising, experts pointed out a few challenges:
- Operational Costs: Maintaining a large cold storage requires consistent power supply and skilled management.
- Accessibility: Ensuring that small farmers get fair access without high user charges will be key.
- Awareness: Farmers need training to effectively use cold storage facilities.
The government has assured that these concerns will be addressed through subsidies, farmer training programs, and transparent management practices.
Conclusion
The foundation stone laid by Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy for the 9,700 MT capacity cold storage unit in Khammam marks a milestone in Telangana’s agricultural development. By addressing one of the most critical bottlenecks in the farm sector—post-harvest losses—the initiative is expected to bring long-term benefits for farmers, strengthen rural livelihoods, and enhance the state’s role in the national and global agricultural markets.
If implemented effectively, this project will not only boost Khammam’s economy but also serve as a model for farmer-centric infrastructure development across Telangana.
