India Centre
Panchkula, Haryana
Haryana-UK Centre of Excellence on Sustainable Crop Post-Harvest Management and Cold-Chain (CoE-SPMCC)
The Government of Haryana, in collaboration with The Clean Cooling Network, has initiated the establishment of a state-of-the-art, first-of-its-kind Haryana-UK Centre of Excellence (CoE-SPMCC) in Panchkula.
Haryana is creating the blueprint for Indian horticulture farmers to get more produce to market, adding value to the farmers.
Haryana is the food bowl of India, and now fast diversifying into fresh fruits and vegetables, which necessitates the management of cold-chain to reduce post-harvest losses in this sector. However, food loss is significant in Haryana and directly impacts farmers, as horticultural produce serves as their primary source of income. Every year some 156 million USD (Rs. 13 billion) income is lost to both farmers and the state.
Perishability, short marketable life, and the need to acquire advanced skills and best-in-class equipment - including cold-chain facilities – mean farmers face difficulty in ensuring the safety and quality of marketable produce, as well as reducing quantity losses in the supply chain.
Sustainable cold-chains are, therefore, critical infrastructure, vital for a well-functioning society and economy. They underpin access to safe and nutritious food and health, as well as the ability to drive economic growth and deliver socioeconomic development.
Take a closer look at HACE
Haryana
To establish the CoE, the state government has allotted ca. 15 acres (6 ha.) of land within the premises of the Directorate of Horticulture (DoH) at Panchkula, Haryana. Test laboratories, demonstration facilities, a community cooling hub, training centre and incubation hub will all be available.
CoE-SPMCC
A state-of-the-art and first-of-its-kind Haryana-UK Centre of Excellence on Sustainable Crop Post-Harvest Management and Cold-Chain (CoE-SPMCC) is being established in Panchkula, Haryana. Key focuses will be:
- Reducing post-harvest losses
- Demonstrations of low-GWP refrigeration and energy-efficient systems
- Facilitate the incubation of innovators and start-ups
Key focus at the Centre of Excellence
This Centre of Excellence will focus on:
- Reducing post-harvest losses, including the development of guidelines and protocols;
- Setting up in-house testing facilities;
- Demonstrations of low-GWP refrigeration and energy-efficient systems;
- Conducting capacity building and awareness raising through tailor-made training;
- Business model development and facilitating the incubation of innovators and start-ups.
The CoE will study and understand the total cold-chain demand from farmer to market and develop solutions, courses, policies, and business models that are sustainable and fit for the market too.
Current training
Foundation in Cold-Chain - India
This course intends to help attendees understand key issues in the agrifood and pharma cold-chain systems and those who want to be sector-literate. It is recommended for policy-makers, NGO, and Development officers and those working in the sector.
Key facilities
Facilities at the Centre of Excellence will include:
- The Centre Building housing the teaching, conference and administrative block
- Start-up incubation hub
- Post-Harvest Management Station
- Community Cooling Hub
- Machinery and Equipment Station
- Clean Cold Energy Centre
- Training, Testing and Referral Station
Timeline
We are still in development, but already offering training via the CCN Academy within the mini-centre.
The core activities of the CoE will be implemented in three phases viz. strategy phase, implementation phase and scaling up phase.
Phase I: Planning Phase and first training launched
The phase continues to the end of December 2024. The Detailed Project Plan has been approved by various partners, training courses have commenced, and resources are being hired.
Phase II: Build and fit-out Implementation Phase
This phase will commence from Jan 2025. This phase will consist of construction activities and commencement of train the trainer and testing facilities.
Phase III: Operationalisation and scale-up, and development Phase
This phase is planned to commence from January 2026. During this phase, various start-ups will be onboarded and incubated for the scaling up of CoE activities among others.
Essential reading
Launch of a fast-tracked mini Centre of Excellence in Haryana, India
12th Nov 2025
A mini Centre of Excellence on Sustainable Crop Post-harvest Management and Cold-Chain (CoE-SPMCC) to revolutionise sustainable cooling and cold-chain ecosystems in Haryana, India is being set up.
CCN India team to join Cool World conference
18th Aug 2025
Representatives from the CCN team for India will join the international “Cool World: Sustainable Cold-Chain for the Global South” conference in October to discuss the programme’s plans.
Signing moves Haryana Centre of Excellence a step closer to opening
21st Feb 2025
The Haryana-UK Centre of Excellence on Sustainable Crop Post-Harvest Management & Cold-Chain will help farmers get more of their crops to market sustainably.
International experts and state government of Haryana develop Centre of Excellence
14th Aug 2024
A new Centre of Excellence on Sustainable Crop Post-Harvest Management will create blueprint for Indian horticulture farmers to get more produce to market.
