Cold storage will be built in every assembly constituency of Jharkhand, provision of Rs 162 crore in the budget, farmers will be freed from selling their crops at throwaway prices.

News India Live, Digital Desk: Giving great relief to the farmers, the Hemant Soren government of Jharkhand has decided to set up cold storage in all 81 assembly constituencies of the state. Wednesday, 18 March 2026 Agriculture Minister during the budget session of the Assembly on Shilpi Neha Tirkey Made its official announcement. The main objective of this ambitious scheme is to increase the storage capacity in the state and to provide farmers the right price for their produce.

Cold storage will be built with capacity of 5000 metric tons.

The Agriculture Minister informed the House that at present cold storages of 5000 metric tonnes capacity in each district of the state are either ready or in the final stage of construction. Now this network is being further expanded and taken to the assembly level. financial year 2026-27 For this in the budget of Rs 162.20 crore Special provision has been made.

New cold storage will be equipped with solar power

Promoting modern technology, the government has announced that these cold storage ‘Cold Room-cum-Solar’ Will be based on the model. This will not only reduce electricity consumption, but will also ensure that farmers’ crops (like tomatoes, green vegetables and fruits) remain safe for a long time even in remote areas where there is a problem of electricity.

The place will be decided on the recommendation of the MLAs

According to Minister Shilpi Neha Tirkey, cold storage will be constructed in each assembly constituency on the basis of the recommendations of the public representatives (MLAs) there. Dumri MLA Jairam Mahato In response to the question raised by the Minister, the Minister said that this initiative will prove to be a game changer in saving farmers from ‘distress sale’ (selling under compulsion at low price).

Government’s stance regarding loan against storage

A question was also raised in the House whether farmers will be able to get bank loan on the grains kept in cold storage? On this, the Minister clarified that at present there is no proposal under consideration to give direct loan on stored produce, as it requires a specific warehousing certificate, which is not available right now due to technical reasons. However, the government is working on future possibilities in this direction.

Other big announcements of Jharkhand Budget 2026-27

Mahila Farmer Welfare Scheme: Launch of new schemes to empower women farmers.

Birsa-Pradhan Mantri Crop Insurance Scheme: Fund of Rs 400 crore to compensate for the loss due to natural disaster.

Milk Production: Establishment of new dairies at Giridih and Seraikela and milk powder plant at Ranchi.