APICOL, in collaboration with ASSOCHAM, hosted the Cold Storage Conclave & Buyer–Seller Meet 2025 at the Welcomhotel by ITC in Bhubaneswar.
The event aimed to bring together policymakers, industry leaders, agri-entrepreneurs, farmer groups, financial institutions, and technology providers to promote the growth of Odisha’s cold storage and post-harvest infrastructure.
The conclave was inaugurated by the Deputy Chief Minister and Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment, Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo. He formally opened the exhibition and visited various stalls that showcased Odisha’s agricultural and horticultural potential. During the inaugural session, approval letters were distributed to beneficiaries of cold storage initiatives.
In his address, Dy CM Singh Deo emphasised the state government’s commitment to creating a supportive ecosystem for investment, innovation, and inclusive growth in agriculture and related sectors. He announced that the government has set an ambitious target to establish cold storage units in 58 subdivisions by the fiscal year 2029–30, with a proposed budget of ₹252 crore.
He also highlighted key policy interventions, such as capital investment subsidies and interest reimbursement, which aim to revitalise defunct cold storage units and support the long-term viability of new projects. He urged banks, industry associations, technology providers, and large buyers to collaborate closely with Odisha’s farmers and entrepreneurs, stating that strong cooperation across the value chain is essential to unlocking the sector’s full potential.
Dr Arabinda Kumar Padhee, IAS, Principal Secretary, Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment, Government of Odisha, underlined the state’s transition towards market-led agriculture. He noted that Odisha has been a rice-surplus state for the last 16–17 years, supplying rice to over 12 states, and produced nearly 15 million tonnes of food grains along with an equal volume of horticultural produce in the last agricultural year.
Highlighting policy reforms, he said the government has drafted a comprehensive yet concise cold storage policy with attractive incentives to strengthen the ecosystem and attract private investment. With over 15 proposals already received and multiple investors setting up units, he reiterated the government’s stand that it will act as a facilitator rather than an operator, inviting private players to lead the sector. He also stressed the need for ancillary industries, energy efficiency and integration of agri-marketing with production to reduce post-harvest losses and enhance farmer incomes.
The Director of Horticulture, Kalunge Gorakh Waman, IFS, Director of Horticulture, Government of Odisha, mentioned how the horticulture sector in Odisha is entering a pivotal phase through its visionary Cold Storage Policy by strengthening its post-harvest management ecosystem by building a reliable cold storage and logistics network. The Horticulture Directorate is working with APICOL to operationalise support mechanisms such as capital assistance for new units, their time-bound completion, and electricity tariff subsidy to make operations viable.
Speaking from an industry perspective, Dr Prabodh Mohanty, Chairman, ASSOCHAM Odisha (Mining, Steel and Agri Council) and MD, SNM Group, said that as Odisha expands production, the next growth leap will come from modernising post-harvest logistics and processing. He emphasised the need for integrated cold storage solutions with pre-cooling, digital quality tracking, grading, sorting and access to organised buyers, noting that market predictability and long-term procurement commitments are key to attracting private capital.
In his inaugural address, Shubhranshu Mishra, Managing Director, APICOL, said the state government envisions a robust and sustainable cold storage ecosystem. With new schemes under the Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment Department, the focus is on reviving defunct units, ensuring sustainability beyond the scheme period and reducing post-harvest losses to ultimately enhance farmers’ income.
The event features other key panel discussions on scaling supply chains in Odisha, Access to Market, Branding and financing rural enterprises, Invest in Cold Storage: Developing Odisha’s Cold chain and market linkages.
The Buyer–Seller Meet emerged as a major highlight of the conclave, providing a dynamic platform that connected Odisha’s producers, FPOs, SHGs and entrepreneurs with national buyers from retail, export and e-commerce sectors. The parallel exhibition showcased a diverse range of local and value-added products, including GI-tagged cashews, honey, spices, mushrooms and exotic vegetables, facilitating direct business interactions and potential trade partnerships.
Experts from organisations such as APEDA, NABARD, DANFOS and leading technology firms shared insights on strengthening cold chains, reducing food waste, improving market access and integrating Odisha’s agri-enterprises with organised domestic and export value chains.
The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Geetashree Parhi, Additional Director, Directorate of Horticulture, reaffirming the collective commitment of government and industry to build a resilient, market-linked and investment-friendly agri-horti ecosystem in Odisha.
