The State Govt. of Haryana in collaboration with University of Birmingham (UoB) led consortium of universities (UK and European universities), Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), United Kingdom and as well as the United for Efficiency-United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), has initiated the establishment of a state-of-the-art, first-of-its-kind Haryana-UK Centre of Excellence on Sustainable Crop Post-Harvest Management and & Cold-Chain (CoE-SPMCC) in Panchkula, Haryana. The centre aims to support the development of necessary infrastructure and best practices within the farm-to-market supply chain. It is dedicated to develop a comprehensive national framework focused on sustainable PHM practices, guidelines and protocols with the primary goal of curbing horticultural produce wastage following system-of-systems approach. Within this, the CoE will assess the present needs and prepare for the future requirements of a sustainable cold-chain

The key sub-objectives are as follows:

• Comprehensive and state of the art research and cold-chain design, including energy transition
• Successful business model and incubating the start-ups and a centre to facilitate the development of cold-chain
• Demonstration of the best available technology, conduct and facilitate high-quality research and development
• Enhance capacity and raise awareness of stakeholders including Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs)

This CoE, based on the systems of systems and Hub and SPOKE (Specialised Outreach and Knowledge Establishment) model, will focus on reducing post-harvest losses, economically enhancing farmers, building resilience whilst minimising environmental impact. To achieve this, the CoE-SPMCC will lead the development of national guidelines and protocols, setting up in-house testing facilities, demonstrations of low-GWP refrigeration and energy-efficient systems, improved PHM approaches, conducting capacity building and awareness raising through tailor made trainings, technology demonstrations, business model development, and facilitate the incubation of innovators and start-ups, among other initiatives.

Courses

Courses and training modules offered by CoE-SPMCC will focus on:

• Foundation course 
• Orientation Training Programme 
• Train the Trainer 
• Train the  Technician