Controlled Atmosphere (CA) cold storage facilities have become a game-changer for apple growers in Jammu and Kashmir, addressing the challenge of the short shelf-life of their produce. Fayaz Wani reports that these storage units, introduced in the region in 2008, now number about 45, with the majority located in South Kashmir's Pulwama district. The CA storage method involves precise regulation of oxygen, carbon dioxide, nitrogen concentrations, as well as temperature and humidity, resulting in a significant extension of the shelf life of apples.
Majid Aslam Wafai, president of Jammu and Kashmir Fruits and Vegetables Processing and Integrated Cold Chain Association, notes that these facilities increase the shelf life of apples by 6-7 months without compromising quality. This extended shelf life allows growers to sell their products at their convenience, avoiding market pressure and potential financial losses. The ability to store apples until June-July after the harvest has proven valuable for farmers, providing a new lifeline and mitigating risks associated with factors like closed transportation routes.
Mohammad Ashraf, an apple grower and president of Shopian Fruit Mandi, emphasizes the role of cold storage units in preventing a flood of produce in the market, which could drive down prices and harm growers financially. Bashir Ahmed Bashir, a fruit grower from Baramulla, echoes the sentiment, highlighting the increased ease for growers even during disruptions like the closure of the Srinagar-Jammu national highway.
Kashmir produces 20-22 lakh metric tonnes of apples annually, and currently, there are about 45 CA storage units in the region with a total holding capacity of 2.15 lakh metric tonnes. However, the demand is for 5 lakh metric tonnes, indicating a need for additional storage facilities. Director Horticulture Kashmir Ghulam Rasool Mir explains that the government provides subsidies to incentivize the setup of CA storage units, with the Central government offering 10,000 per metric tonne for units with a 5,000 metric tonne capacity, and the J&K government providing an additional subsidy of 14,520 through its Top-Up policy.
