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India - Strengthening Clean Cold Chain Policy and Technology Integration for Climate-Resilient Agriculture in Punjab 

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RATIONALE

This project responds to a request made by the Punjab State Council for Science & Technology, Government of Punjab, to reduce SLCPs while addressing agricultural and food security challenges through the deployment of decentralized cold storage units powered by renewable energy (solar, biomass, or hybrid). Operated by Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), Self-Help Groups (SHGs), or cooperatives, these units will reduce post-harvest food loss and associated methane emissions, support a shift away from paddy-wheat monoculture, and enhance farmer incomes through climate-smart crop diversification.

Punjab's agricultural economy is undergoing a critical transformation. Historically reliant on the paddy-wheat monoculture, the state now faces environmental challenges that threaten the long-term sustainability of this model. Groundwater levels have seen a steady decline, raising concerns about the viability of irrigation-intensive crops like paddy.

Recognizing these challenges, the state has begun to actively promote horticulture and crop diversification as more sustainable and remunerative alternatives. However, the absence of decentralized cold storage infrastructure continues to challenge this shift.

Addressing this challenge requires decentralized cold storage systems that are cost-effective, renewable-powered, and tailored for local agro-climatic and cropping conditions. Against this backdrop, the project proposes to pilot solar-powered, biomass-powered, and hybrid units.

This project will align with the State Dual Strategy on SLCPs and National Policies:


 

Activities

Outcome 1. Enhanced knowledge and institutional understanding of clean cold chain and SLCP mitigation options across key stakeholders by the end of the project.

Indicator: Number of non-government entities with demonstrated improved capacity for SLCP action 

  • Output 1.1: Pre-feasibility study completed including crop mapping, covering crop-specific cold storage needs, technology and market gaps, energy options (solar/biomass/hybrid), business model viability (e.g., Cooling-as-a-Service), and financial sustainability for decentralized clean cold chain solutions in Punjab.
  • Output 1.2: Baseline audits on produce losses, cold storage access, and SLCP hotspots.
  • Output 1.3: Capacity building programs for officials, Farmer Producer Organizations, and Self-Help Groups.

 

Outcome 2: Demonstration of viable decentralized clean cold chain pilots by the end of the project. 

Indicators: Number of SLCP mitigation tools, technologies, or practices adopted 

  • Output 2.1: Four pilot cold storage units installed and operationalized in four districts based on the findings of the preliminary analysis.
  • Output 2.2: Performance and impact assessments of pilots conducted (economic, emissions, and resilience).

Outcome 3: Policy recommendations for SLCP-aligned cold chain models developed by the end of the project.

Indicators: Number of laws, regulations, or other policy mechanisms with SLCP targets or mitigation measures formally adopted, endorsed, and/or implemented 

  • Output 3.1: Preparation of a draft document summarizing key findings.
  • Output 3.2: State-level stakeholder consultations and exposure visits.
  • Output 3.3: Finalization of report with key recommendations.
  • Output 3.4: Development of Standard Operating Procedures toolkits and replication roadmap.
  • Output 3.5:  Cold chain learnings to be fed into state-level planning through policy measures.


Reference number: India – Strengthening clean cold chain policy and technology integration for climate-resilient agriculture in Punjab - [IN-25-002]