Cold Storage is a special kind of storage facility, the temperature of which is kept under controlled condition with the help of machines and precision instruments. Cold storages are meant to preserve the perishable commodities of food items for a longer period with retention of the original colour, flavour and taste. In India, the cold storage facilities are normally of large capacities, used to store vegetables and fruits. These are generally located near bigger towns or cities. In the absence of cold storage facilities, the small farmers of rural areas mostly sell their produce in the nearby market. In case of surplus production, the farmers are forced to sell at throw-away prices in the harvesting season only or sometime the crop is wasted in the farms.

The concept of cold room is to store vegetables, fruits and flowers for shorter duration for which a small/marginal farmer can store products and sell it without deterioration of the product. Farmers will also get appropriate value of the product. It will reduce the distress sale. Cold Room infrastructure for fruits and vegetables can substantially improve storage quality and reduce wastage. The farmers can establish cold rooms having 10 MT capacity where the storing of surplus quantities may vary from 100 quintals. Since the investment of such cold room is low a farmer can easily establish a cold room to store his surplus products. Such cold rooms will have the provision of utilising solar power as well based on suitability. Solar power is one of the best solutions for operating small cold storage system in rural areas. Running cost of the cold storage system can also be reduced with solar power source. Solar energy-based refrigeration system is quite relevant to India because it is blessed with a good amount of solar energy in most parts of the country throughout the year.

A Project Report is not only essential for obtaining financial assistance from Bank/ Financial Institution/Funding Agency but also the most important document either to participate in the development schemes of MSME Sector/ Department of Industries or in completing various time consuming government formalities connected with planning and commercial operation of the proposed business project.

This Detail Project Report (DPR)/ Business Plan has been developed in a well-structured PDF Format (Easy to Download, Convert into MS WORD through www.pdftoword.com, Edit for Personalised Customisation and Finally Printing the Report) to be presented as a Ready Project Proposal immediately thereby saving precious time of the promoter in the process of completing requisite formalities in anticipation of setting up the business project. Accordingly, following Project Templates has been deliberately left blank in order to facilitate customisation by the perspective entrepreneurs based on personal requirements and furnish necessary information on actual basis.

§ Project at a Glance                                :             To be Filled Up as per Personal Requirements.

[Total Capital Expenditure, Working Capital, Estimated Cost of the Project, Amount of Bank Loan, Amount of Equity Capital and Amount of applicable Margin Money Subsidy – (Urban/Rural /General Category/ Special Category)].

§ General Information and Location       :             To be Furnished in the Blank Space.

[Name of the Unit/Firm, Address of the Proposed Project Location, Size of the Space Available and Occupancy under Ownership/Lease Agreement].

§ Promoter’s Background                        :             To be Furnished in the Blank Space.

[Name of the Promoter, Age, Communication Address, Educational Qualification, Work Experience and Special Training Attended, if Any].

The Project Report/ Business Plan so presented include all the important aspects containing the following details;

CONTENTS

1.    Highlights of the Project

2.    Project Introduction

3.    The Project Proposal

4.    The Products and its Storage

5.    Prospect for Investment

6.    Potential Target Customers/Market

7.    Market Entry, Distribution and Marketing Strategy

8.    Critical Success Factors

9.    Process Details and Technical Aspects

10.  Installed and Operational Capacity

11.  Quality and Standards

12.  Raw Materials and Consumables

13.  Power and Utility

14.  Tentative Implementation Schedule

15.  Basis & Presumptions

16.  Capital Investment Estimates with Detail Project Economics

17.  Computation of Working Capital Requirement

18.  Estimated Total Project Investment

19.  Proposed Means of Project Financing

20.  Estimated Annual Sales Turnover

21.  Projected Profitability Statement

22.  Calculation of Interest Amount

23.  Depreciation Schedule

24.  Term Loan Repayment Schedule

25.  Debt Service Coverage Ratio

26.  Break-Even Analysis

27.  Projected Cash Flow Statement

28.  Projected Balance Sheet

29.  Internal Rate Return

30.  Pay Back Period

31.  Photographs of Micro Cold Storage Room and

32.  Contact Details of Cold Room Suppliers

The presentation also supplements with important facts and useful information covering the areas as indicated below;

LIST OF ANNEXURES

1.   Basics of Food Processing Business

2.   Indian Food Processing Industry- Current Scenario and Recent Govt. Initiatives

3.   Statutory Permits and Business Licenses required for the Project

4.   Beginner’s Guide to Start the Project

5.   Smart Tips to Identify Suitable Project Location

6.   Critical Success Factors in Food Processing Business and

7.   Marketing Strategy and Promotional Ideas to Boost the Sale of the Business.

LIST OF ENCLOSURES

ENCLOSURE-1: E-BOOK ON PMFME SCHEME, MINISTRY OF FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES, GOVT. OF INDIA.

ENCLOSURE-2: LATEST LIST OF “ONE DISTRICT ONE PRODUCT” (ODOP) FOR 713 DISTRICTS OF 35 STATES/UNION TERRITORIES UNDER PMFME SCHEME, MINISTRY OF FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES, GOVT. OF INDIA.

Thus the information provided would help in identifying in advance the infrastructure/resources required for the Project and approach the concerned government agencies accordingly. Hence, it becomes a complete document for further action towards realising the dream of becoming an entrepreneur.