In a pioneering move towards enhancing horticultural practices, the Haryana Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the University of Birmingham to establish the first-of-its-kind Haryana-UK Centre of Excellence on Sustainable Crop Post-Harvest Management and Cold Chain for horticulture crops. The state-of-the-art centre, located in Panchkula, aims to significantly reduce post-harvest losses while maintaining the quality and freshness of horticultural produce from farm to consumer.
The MoU was signed in the presence of Haryana Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini and Haryana Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Sh. Shyam Singh Rana. On behalf of the Haryana Government, the MoU was signed by Additional Chief Secretary Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Department, Sh. Raja Shekhar Vundru, while Prof. Robin Mason, Pro-Vice Chancellor (International), University of Birmingham, signed on behalf of the university.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that Haryana, being the food bowl of India, is rapidly diversifying into fresh fruits and vegetables.This expansion calls for the effective management of the cold chain to minimize post-harvest losses in the sector.
He further said that the Centre of Excellence will play a crucial role in ensuring quality, reducing wastage, and supporting the agricultural community in Haryana. The Centre of Excellence will serve as a comprehensive research and testing hub under one roof, dedicated to improving the post-harvest management of fruits and vegetables.
It will also provide vital research and testing services for students and researchers from CCS Haryana Agricultural University (CCS HAU), Hisar and Maharana Pratap Horticulture University, Karnal allowing them to undertake studies and experiments in the fields of post-harvest management and cold chain technology.
Key objectives of the Centre include reducing post-harvest losses by developing guidelines and protocols to mitigate such losses; fostering cold chain innovations by providing testing facilities and supporting advancements to ensure an efficient cold chain for horticultural products; nurturing tech start-ups by offering incubation support for cold chain technologies; driving sustainable practices through cutting-edge research on energy-efficient cold chain solutions and the development of sustainable business models; and establishing a comprehensive national framework for cold-chain practices and post-harvest management (PHM), aimed at curbing horticultural produce wastage.
In addition to its core research activities, the Centre will provide training, technology demonstrations, and incubation facilities for businesses and farmers, helping them adapt and thrive in a rapidly evolving agricultural landscape. The Haryana Government has allocated 15 acres of land adjoining the Directorate of Horticulture, Sector 21, Panchkula, for the development of the CoE-SPMCC.
The Centre will feature a training centre, technology demonstration area, testing centre, and technology incubation centre. With this collaboration, Haryana is poised to set a benchmark in sustainable crop post-harvest management and cold chain practices, contributing significantly to reducing food waste and enhancing the profitability and sustainability of horticultural farming.
Experts from the University of Birmingham are leading a consortium of UK and international universities to provide technical assistance in developing the Centre in Panchkula. The consortium includes Heriot-Watt University, Cranfield University, London South Bank University, and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
This collaborative effort has driven the design and establishment of the Centre, with the University of Birmingham taking the lead on resilient systems approaches to energy and cooling, energy transitions and storage, and understanding the social impacts of these technologies. Additional Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Dr Saket Kumar, HoD Horticulture Department Dr Arjun Singh Saini and other officers were also present on this occasion.