In a significant boost for the agricultural community, NABARD has sanctioned the establishment of a 2,240 MT capacity cold storage unit worth ₹9.025 crore for the Belagavi Agricultural Produce Market. This initiative falls under the NABARD Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF) 2024-25, as announced by Belagavi MP Shri Jagadish Shettar.
Highlighting the challenges faced by farmers, Shri Shettar emphasized that 25-30% of agricultural and horticultural produce is lost due to the lack of proper cold storage facilities. This loss, primarily affecting perishable items, forces farmers to sell their produce at lower prices, cutting into potential profits.
The new cold storage facility is expected to address these issues by enabling farmers to store crops such as potatoes, chillies, vegetables, pulses, and fruits for extended periods. This will help maintain the quality, freshness, and nutritional value of their produce, ultimately benefiting the agricultural community economically and operationally.

Shettar credited this development to his efforts during a recent Bankers District Level Coordination Committee (DLCC) meeting, where he urged NABARD officials to prioritize a cold storage facility for Belagavi.
“The cold storage unit will be a game-changer for farmers in the district and surrounding areas, ensuring their produce remains fresh while reducing wastage and increasing profitability,” he said in a press release.