Effort to increase in CA Storage Capacity in J&K
28-03-2022: CA storage is an appropriate and practical technology for prolonging the shelf life and maintaining the quality of fruits and vegetables on a large scale. CA storage reduces the metabolic activity of the produce, allowing the control of ripening and senescence, which reduces weight loss, delays softening and anthocyanin formation inhibits browning and decay and favors flavor and chlorophyll retention.
CA storage commonly uses low oxygen (O2) levels and high carbon dioxide (CO2) levels in the storage atmosphere combined with refrigeration. Even very early storage practices may have utilized a modified atmosphere enriched with CO2 and depleted O2 levels to extend the storage life of fruits, vegetables, cereals, and other commodities.
The government of Jammu and Kashmir under the leadership of Lt. Governor Manoj Sinha is making every effort to boost the industry. In this connection, the government has issued various policies and programmes. Special focus is made on the traditional industries such as carpet, handloom, and handicraft industries of Kashmir in particular. Likewise, the Controlled atmosphere stores policies of GOI, and the efforts of the present government have totally revolutionized the fruit industry of Kashmir.
It has reduced the post-harvest losses by increasing the shelf life of various agriculture and horticulture produce. The policy under reference has encouraged and aided private players and is being proved as the best economic model. These pragmatic efforts have increased the income of farmers as well as speed up economic growth. Apple is the main dominant crop of Kashmir and these CA stores have increased the income manyfold by selling their products as per the demand and supply in the market.
Quality and colour wise Kashmir apple has its own market and fetching good rates and comparatively much higher than the rates apples get in harvesting season.
The Kashmir CA stores have presently the capacity to store about 2.5 lakh metric tonnes of apple which is a healthy sign for the economic growth of farmers. Horticulture Department has done a commendable job in this regard, which needs to be appreciated. As the result, more and more new prospective entrepreneurs are looking forward for setting up such stores as the available government policies are quite encouraging. As per available data, Kashmir produces 20 lakh metric tonnes of apples annually. The CA storage system ensures an optimum supply of oxygen, carbon dioxide, nitrogen besides humidity and temperature to preserve edible items for longer periods of time.
The present government is focusing on effective Post Harvest Management of fruits in the UT. “Special efforts are being initiated by the department of Horticulture towards the establishment of CA store, Food Processing Units, Grading lines, and Purchase of Refrigerated Vans.
To see the government policies and peace in the valley except for small incidents, CEOs of several Gulf countries have paid their visits to Kashmir in recent times to explore the investment opportunities and that will certainly help in creating Post-harvest infrastructure in J&K.
Significant change is being witnessed in Jammu and Kashmir especially if we talk about investment, industry, and business. Govt. on many concerned platforms have discussed several areas and issues and resolved the hurdles.
Govt. is equally focussing on other sectors such as Health and Medical Education, Real Estate, Hospitality, Food processing, Cold storage, and cold chain and education
Government is hopeful to bring an investment of over Rs 70,000 crore in the next six months. Investment proposals of around Rs 27000 crore,” have already been cleared. It would help to create more and more jobs in Jammu and Kashmir directly and indirectly.
People associated with the apple industry say that introduction of cold storage has revolutionized the industry besides providing jobs to hundreds of labourers.
Kashmir on average produces over 20 lakh metric tonnes of apple every year and it is expected that it will jump over to 25 lakh metric tonne production in the next few years. The 2017 economic survey in J&K said that half of Kashmir’s population is directly or indirectly dependent on the apple industry and over 3.5 lakh hectares are under apple cultivation.
There are 40 CA stores across Jammu and Kashmir with Industrial Growth Centre (IGC) in the Lassipora area of south Kashmir’s Pulwama alone having as many as 23 CA stores. Besides, there are 17 stores functioning in different districts including Shopian, Srinagar, Anantnag, Baramulla, and Jammu.
Hopefully, more and more such CA stores shall be set up for economic development as well as to increase the income of farmers in the light of attractive industrial policy in operation in Jammu and Kashmir.
