New Delhi: The Haryana-UK Centre of Excellence on Sustainable Crop Post-Harvest Management & Cold-Chain (CoE-SPMCC) moved closer to reality with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Chandigarh. The initiative aims to help Indian farmers reduce post-harvest losses and enhance market access through advanced cold-chain facilities and best practices.
Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini presided over the MoU signing, with Agriculture Minister Shyam Singh Rana also in attendance. University of Birmingham Pro-Vice-Chancellor (International) Professor Robin Mason joined Dr. Raja Sekhar Vundru, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary, Haryana, to formalize the agreement.
Funded by the Haryana government, the UK Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), and the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), the Centre will establish a national framework for sustainable post-harvest management (PHM). The University of Birmingham, leading a consortium of UK and international universities—including Heriot-Watt, Cranfield, and London South Bank—will provide technical expertise.
Chief Minister Saini highlighted Haryana’s transition towards horticulture and stressed the importance of cold-chain infrastructure in minimizing losses. Dr. Raja Sekhar Vundru noted that Haryana has already established 12 such centres and that CoE-SPMCC will address a critical gap in cold-chain management across India.
The Centre, to be built on 15 acres in Panchkula, will feature a training hub, technology demonstration zones, and an incubation centre for agritech startups. It will focus on energy-efficient cold-chain solutions, innovative business models, and capacity-building for Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs).
University of Birmingham’s Professor Toby Peters emphasized that sustainable cold chains are essential for food security, economic growth, and sustainable development. The initiative aligns with global efforts, including the Africa Centre for Excellence for Sustainable Cooling and Cold-chain (ACES), where the University of Birmingham plays a key role.
Once operational, CoE-SPMCC is expected to strengthen India’s agricultural supply chain, benefiting both farmers and the economy.
