The first government cold storage facility in Tumakuru district, Karnataka, is running behind schedule, leaving local farmers without access to essential storage infrastructure. The project, which broke ground over a year ago, was originally slated for completion by mid-2026 but has faced repeated delays due to administrative hurdles and supply chain issues.
Project details and capacity
The facility is designed with a storage capacity of 1,950 metric tonnes, intended to accommodate a wide range of produce including tamarind, grains, maize, flowers, fruits, and other horticulture items. According to officials from the Karnataka State Agricultural Produce Processing and Export Corporation (KAPPEC), the project is being built on a 2-acre plot in Hebbur village, about 15 km from Tumakuru city.
“The cold storage will be a game-changer for farmers in this region, who currently have to transport their perishable goods to Bengaluru or other distant markets,” said a KAPPEC engineer on condition of anonymity. The project cost is estimated at ₹8.5 crore, funded under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY).
Reasons for delay
Sources within the Tumakuru district administration cite multiple factors for the delay. The initial contractor failed to meet milestones, leading to termination of the contract in March 2026. A new contractor was appointed in May, but work has resumed only slowly. Additionally, delays in procuring refrigeration equipment from suppliers in Tamil Nadu have compounded the problem.
“We had hoped to start operations by June, but now we are looking at September or October,” admitted a district horticulture officer. The delay has frustrated farmers, especially those growing tamarind and flowers, which are highly perishable and often fetch better prices when stored properly.
Impact on farmers
Farmers in the region have been vocal about their plight. “We lose nearly 20% of our tamarind harvest every year due to lack of storage. This facility would have saved us thousands of rupees,” said M. Ramesh, a farmer from nearby Kyathasandra village. According to local farmer associations, over 5,000 farmers in the district depend on horticulture as a primary source of income.
The district produces around 1.2 lakh metric tonnes of horticulture crops annually, but only 5% of the produce currently has access to cold storage. The new facility is expected to reduce post-harvest losses by up to 15%, according to state agriculture department estimates.
Way forward
The district administration has assured farmers that the project will be fast-tracked. Deputy Commissioner of Tumakuru, Dr. B. N. Krishnaiah, told reporters last week that a monitoring committee has been formed to oversee weekly progress. “We are committed to completing the project by October 2026. Any further delays will be met with strict action against the contractor,” he said.
Meanwhile, some farmers have started exploring alternative storage options, including renting space in private cold storages in neighboring districts, which costs them ₹2-3 per kg per month. The government facility is expected to charge a subsidized rate of ₹1 per kg per month, making it more affordable.
