Author: PPD Team Date: 17/04/2025
Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL), a joint venture under the Ministry of Power, has launched a national initiative to deploy solar-powered micro cold storage units. The aim is to reduce post-harvest losses and improve farm-level infrastructure for small and marginal farmers.
The pilot unit was inaugurated in Kullu, Himachal Pradesh, with support from the Asian Development Bank. Similar units will now be deployed in Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Odisha. These will provide decentralised, off-grid cold storage solutions.
India faces post-harvest losses of around Rs 70 billion each year, excluding potatoes and onions. Nearly half of this occurs at the farm gate. To address this, EESL has developed 5 to 10 metric tonne solar cold storage units. Each unit has a 36-hour thermal backup to maintain cooling even in areas without stable power supply.
The units are designed to reduce crop spoilage, avoid distress sales, and support multiple harvests. This can help improve rural incomes and strengthen food security. EESL will manage installation and maintenance, while state governments will provide financial support to ensure access and affordability.
The initiative has been developed with input from the National Centre for Cold-chain Development, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Collaborative Labeling and Appliance Standards Program, National Institute of Solar Energy, and equipment manufacturers. The strategy also accounts for the challenges of remote locations and varied crop types.