Congratulates new JKPICCA leadership
SRINAGAR: The Federation of Chambers of Industries Kashmir (FCIK) has called for a strategic, collaborative approach to develop a sustainable and demand-driven cold storage network in Jammu and Kashmir, emphasizing its importance in boosting the region’s agricultural economy and reducing post-harvest losses. In a statement issued recently, the Chamber underscored the critical role cold storage plays in preserving perishable produce, especially in the region’s apple and horticultural sectors.
FCIK President Shahid Kamili in a statement issued here said that cold storage infrastructure is essential for stabilizing farmers’ incomes by preventing distress sales during periods of market surpluses. He stressed that the ability to store produce until prices stabilize would not only help reduce agricultural waste but also improve seasonal planning, broaden market access, and ultimately make the region more competitive both domestically and globally.
“Cold storage is a cornerstone of our farming economy, especially for crops like apples,” Kamili said. “It provides farmers with the flexibility to manage supply, reduces the need for distress sales during gluts, and helps keep market prices stable.”
However, Kamili also pointed to the significant challenges facing the cold storage sector in the region, particularly the gap between the available capacity and actual demand. Despite the ongoing development of cold storage infrastructure, he noted that this mismatch threatens the sector’s sustainability.
Currently, there are 86 Controlled Atmosphere (CA) storage units operational in Jammu and Kashmir, with 14 additional facilities under construction. These are expected to be operational by next year. However, FCIK expressed concerns that the rapid expansion of cold storage facilities has not been met by a corresponding increase in demand, leading to underutilization of existing units.
“Many of these cold storage facilities are underutilized, which can strain the operators financially and discourage future investment,” Kamili warned. “The high fixed costs of running these facilities when they are not being fully utilized represent a significant challenge to the sector’s long-term viability.”
Additionally, the Chamber pointed out that many cold storage operators are facing difficulties accessing government incentives, citing issues such as missed registration deadlines and bureaucratic delays that prevent operators from benefitting from policies designed to encourage growth in the sector.
“These delays and bureaucratic hurdles only add to the strain on operators,” Kamili explained. “The incentives that should be available to these businesses are not reaching them in a timely manner, which only complicates matters further.”
FCIK has called on the government to address these issues through more strategic policymaking and better facilitation, ensuring that the cold storage sector is supported in a way that benefits both farmers and operators. To achieve this, the Chamber emphasized the importance of incorporating feedback from grassroots organizations such as the Jammu & Kashmir Fruits and Vegetables Processing and Integrated Cold Chain Association (JKPICCA), a key constituent of FCIK.
In addition to its call for better cold storage policies, FCIK congratulated the newly elected leadership of JKPICCA, which will play a vital role in shaping the future of the region’s cold chain sector. The recent elections for JKPICCA were held on Saturday at the Directorate of Horticulture, with oversight from senior industry figures, including former FCIK President M. D. Qureshi and IGC Lassipora President Mukhtar Ahmad Khan.
The election process was overseen by an election commission consisting of Irshad Ahmad Bhat, Ashiq Shangloo, and Mushtaq Ahmad Dar, ensuring transparency and fairness. FCIK expressed its satisfaction with the election’s conduct and congratulated the newly elected office-bearers of JKPICCA.
The new leadership comprises President Bashir Ahmad Naik, Vice President Mohammad Arif Mir, and General Secretary-Treasurer Ishfaq Ahmad Malik. FCIK extended its strong support to the newly elected team, confident that, in close collaboration with FCIK, JKPICCA would play an instrumental role in advocating for policy changes and addressing the challenges faced by the cold storage sector.
FCIK emphasized that only through a collaborative effort—bringing together stakeholders, including farmers, cold storage operators, and government agencies—can Jammu and Kashmir build a robust, sustainable cold storage network that meets the growing demands of the agricultural and horticultural sectors.