Listen to the recording of the webinar here  

Presentations available for download 

Project overview. Toby Peters, co-Director, Centre for Sustainable Cooling

Cold-chain and opportunities for UK business Judith Evans FInstR, London South Bank University

Cooling and post-harvest management and opportunities for UK business Richard Colgan, Greenwich University it

India perspective Akbar Sher Khan, Impagro Farming

Experience of working in India Jame Bailey MInstR, Wave Refrigeration

 The importance of maintenance in refrigerated transport Norman Highnam MInstR, Highnam Assist

Overview

In India, half (49.8%) of the country’s employment is directly or indirectly dependent on agriculture. Prime Minister Modi stated his vision for doubling farmers' income to set forth a strategic direction for future development. With up to 40% of some crops lost between farm and market, the Committee for Doubling Farmer’s Income has identified agri-logistics and cold-chain as vital components in its farm income strategy.

In order to support small and marginal farmers to reduce food loss, increase market connectivity and strengthen their value-chains, Indian State Governments plan to rapidly deploy more than 20,000 Integrated Pack Houses with end-to-end post-harvest management, cold stores and integrated cold-chains using energy efficient and sustainable technologies.

Building on extensive engagement, the UK is exploring how to participate in these initiatives. In partnership with the British High Commission in India and the Agri-Tech sector team at the Dept for International Trade, a UK team is undertaking a design and feasibility study for a localisable and integrated Model of an end-to-end Post-Harvest Management (PHM), cooling and cold-chain Logistics Hub with an objective of making this a first-of-a-kind ‘Centre of Excellence’ to support roll-out at scale in India. Led by the Centre for Sustainable Cooling, the team includes the University of Birmingham, London South Bank University, Cranfield University and the National Resources Institute, University of Greenwich plus industry experts.

Designed as a structured and supported route for demonstration and engagement, the CoE could offer a multi-faceted range of significant new market opportunities for UK cooling, refrigeration and cold-chain logistics expertise. The purpose of this workshop is to provide an opportunity for our members to develop a shared understanding of the current challenges and commercial opportunities of sustainable Cooling and Cold-chain in India, with an identification and agreement of the key requirements needed and how the UK and its expertise can support solutions in this major growth sector.