Structure and Price Dynamics of Potato Cold Storage in Gujarat

The present study was undertaken to study the structure and market dynamics of potato cold storages in Gujarat by collecting requisite information of ten cold storages from three major districts. It was observed that primary processing activities such as grading, sorting, and other value-added activities were taken place at the cold storage level. The cost of electricity was the major operational cost, followed by the cost of labour. Investment cost followed by the running cost of the cold storage was a major deterrent factor reported by the cold storage manager. The study concluded that there was a need to have the proper and effective strategies and policies to support the need to build an efficient cold storage system. Also, producer/trader/entrepreneur should undertake sorting and grading work at their harvest areas, reducing post-harvest losses and creating more bargaining power, and gaining more share in consumer rupees.