COLD STORAGE SUBSIDY SCHEME
BY
THE MAHARASHTRA STATE AGRICULTURAL MARKETING BOARD, PUNE

Maharashtra State is the major producer of the fruit and vegetables in the country. With the effective implementation the EGS scheme the cultivated land under horticulture crops in the State increased by almost 500 %. The present level of production of horticultural produce in the State is expected to go up by 100 % within a very short period of next 2-3 years. It is estimated that as much as 30 - 35 % of fruit and vegetable production is lost on account of lack of adequate post harvest infrastructure. Agricultural produce of the farmers do not get remunerative prices due to lack of grading , proper packaging and in turn there is huge post harvest losses. In future establishment of Cold Chain in the State has a prime importance for fetching good prices for agril. produce in the International markets.

The perishable agril produce will get storage facility if cold storages are established by Agricultural Produce Market Committees (APMCs) and Co-operative societies functioning in the various regions of the State. This will not only reduce glut in the market and avoid price fluctuation but it also increase the shelf life and quality of agril produce. Thus in turn the producer would get remunerative prices for their produce.
Keeping this view in mind the MSAMB has launched "Cold Storage subsidy scheme" from 1st of August 2004 in the State.

The scheme details as follows.

A. PATTERN OF ASSISTANCE -

• Subsidy @ 25 % of the total project cost with maximum limit of Rs 2.5 lakhs per project.
• - The beneficiary will be eligible for getting subsidy from other financial institutions /agencies.
• - The beneficiary can get subsidy for more than one cold storage.

B. FEATURES OF THE SCHEME -

• Subsidy is available for capacity up to 100 MT cold storage.
• The per MT cost of the project is considered @ Rs 10000/- per MT.
• The per MT subsidy rate is considered @ Rs 2500 /- per MT.
• In-principle approval from MSAMB for the project is necessary.
• The Detail Project Report (DPR) of the cold storage must be of the MSAMB
• - The plan and estimates of the project should be according to the norms finalized by the MSAMB

C. IMPLEMENTATION -

• 1St August 2004 onwards

D. ELIGIBLE ORGANIZATIONS-
The eligible promoters under the scheme shall include Agriculture Produce Market Committees, Co-operative Societies engaged in Processing/Marketing of Fruits vegetables flowers, Co-operative sugar factories, Agril. Producers Co-operative societies.

(Scheme is applicable for Promoters from the Maharashtra State)