The Government of Haryana has launched the Sustainable Horticulture Promotion Project (SHPP-JICA) and laid the foundation stone for the Haryana Agri-Business & Cold Chain Centre (HACE). The initiative aims to strengthen climate-smart horticulture and sustainable cold chains in the Indian state.
Supported by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the INR 2,738 crore (USD 320 million) project is designed to improve production practices, post-harvest management, integrated cold chain systems and market linkages. The project is expected to benefit thousands of farmers across Haryana, reduce food loss and improve agricultural and horticulture incomes.
HACE will serve as a hub for capacity building, technology demonstration and innovation in sustainable cold chain development. Together, SHPP and HACE are expected to improve aggregation, quality, cooling, storage, transport and distribution of perishable produce from farmgate to consumption centers.
The initiatives build on Haryana’s Cold Chain Policy, developed by the Department of Horticulture with technical support from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) under its India Cold Chain Programme (ICCP). The policy provides a roadmap for expanding energy-efficient cold chain infrastructure across the state.
UNEP has supported SHPP-JICA and HACE as knowledge partner through the Cool Coalition’s India Cold Chain Programme, in partnership with Alliance for an Energy Efficient Economy and supported by Clean Cooling Collaborative. The support focuses on integrating sustainability, clean energy and energy efficiency into cold chain planning and implementation, particularly in first-mile packhouses at rural level connected with refrigerated transport.
“SHPP-JICA and HACE mark key milestones in Haryana’s move towards climate-smart horticulture. Building on the State’s pioneering cold chain policy, supported by UNEP, these initiatives will reduce food loss, boost farmer incomes, improve energy efficiency, and cut emissions. This growing partnership highlights how international collaboration can strengthen food systems, enhance climate resilience, and support inclusive growth. UNEP is proud to contribute to this journey through ICCP, linking climate action with farmer resilience and prosperity,” said Dr. Balakrishna Pisupati, Head, UNEP India.
