Madhya Pradesh government is running Special Scheme for Increasing the Storage Capacity of Perishable Products to help farmers build cold storage and other post-harvest units. Grant support goes up to 50% of the project cost, and cold storage projects of up to 5,000 metric tons capacity are covered under it.
Horticulture and Food Processing Department, Madhya Pradesh runs this scheme. In 2026 the department has opened online applications for cold storage, cold room, pack house and ripening chamber components through MPFSTS portal, so farmers no longer have to depend only on the district office visit.
Special Scheme for Increasing the Storage Capacity of Perishable Products 2026
Fruits, vegetables, onion, garlic and flowers spoil fast. Many farmers sell in a hurry at low rates right after harvest because they have no place to keep the produce. This scheme gives money help to build that storage. Cold storage, cold rooms, pack houses and low cost onion or garlic storage structures all come under the post-harvest management part of the horticulture department work in the state, which is largely funded through Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH).
Selection is not first come first served. As per the 2026 application round, the directorate picks eligible people through an online lottery after the applications are checked. Payment of the approved amount comes only after the unit is built and verified by the department.
Apply Online on MPFSTS Portal
Online applying is the main route now for horticulture department components in Madhya Pradesh. Steps are given below.
STEP 1 - Open the horticulture department portal at MPFSTS portal (mpfsts.mp.gov.in) on your phone or computer.
STEP 2 - If this is your first time, finish the farmer registration (Kisan Panjiyan) with your Aadhaar linked mobile number. Farmers who already have an ID can log in directly.
STEP 3 - After login, click on the link for applying under MIDH scheme, then pick the post-harvest management group.
STEP 4 - Select the component you want, such as cold storage, cold room (staging), farm gate pack house, ripening chamber or onion and garlic storage structure.
STEP 5 - Fill in land details, bank account details and project details, then upload the scanned documents asked on the screen.
STEP 6 - Submit the form and take a printout of the receipt. Keep the application number safe, because the lottery result and later steps are checked with this number.
Benefits and Subsidy Rates
Grant amount depends on the type of unit. For a cold storage project, support is up to 50% of the project cost, and the scheme covers units up to 5,000 metric tons capacity. Other post-harvest components have their own rates as per the 2026 round.
| Component | Unit Cost | Grant |
|---|---|---|
| Cold storage (up to 5,000 MT) | As per project | Up to 50% of project cost |
| Farm gate pack house (9m x 6m) | ₹25 lakh | 50%, up to ₹12.50 lakh |
| Cold room (staging) | ₹52 lakh | 35%, up to ₹18.20 lakh |
| Onion or garlic storage (metallic, 25 MT and 50 MT) | ₹8,000 per MT | 50%, ₹4,000 per MT |
| Ripening chamber (non-pressurised) | ₹1 lakh per MT | 35%, ₹35,000 per MT |
Who Can Apply
Rules are simple and the department checks them at the district level before the lottery.
- Applicant should be a farmer registered with the horticulture department on MPFSTS portal.
- Applicant should be a permanent resident of Madhya Pradesh with land papers in own name or a valid lease.
- Bank account should be linked with Aadhaar, since the approved amount is paid into that account.
- Same farmer cannot claim the same component again within the period fixed in the scheme rules.
Scheme Highlights
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Special Scheme for Increasing the Storage Capacity of Perishable Products |
| Level | State |
| Beneficiary State | Madhya Pradesh |
| Main Department | Horticulture and Food Processing Department, Madhya Pradesh |
| Eligible People | Registered farmers of Madhya Pradesh |
| Benefit | Up to 50% grant on cold storage up to 5,000 MT capacity |
| Selection | Online lottery after application check |
| Application Mode | Online on MPFSTS portal, offline help at district horticulture office |
| Official Website | mpfsts.mp.gov.in |
Documents Required
Keep scanned copies ready before you start the form, otherwise the session may time out midway.
- Aadhaar card and Samagra ID for identity check.
- Khasra, khatauni or B1 land record showing the plot where the unit will come up.
- Bank passbook first page with IFSC and account number.
- Project report or cost estimate of the storage unit with quotations.
- Caste certificate, if applying under SC or ST category rates.
Offline Help and Contact
Farmers who face trouble with the online form can go to the District Horticulture Office or the block level horticulture office in office hours. Staff there help with registration, component selection and document upload. For portal problems, the department help desk email is mpfsts[dot]helpdesk[at]mp[dot]gov[dot]in.
Related state schemes worth checking are Sabji Kshetra Vistar Yojana Madhya Pradesh and Flower Development (Demonstration) Scheme, since both run on the same MPFSTS portal login.
References
MPFSTS Portal, Horticulture and Food Processing Department
Horticulture and Food Processing Department, Madhya Pradesh
Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH)
CM Helpline Madhya Pradesh Scheme List
FAQ's
What does this scheme give?
Grant support of up to 50% of the project cost for building cold storage of up to 5,000 metric tons, plus fixed rates for pack house, cold room and ripening chamber.
Which department runs it?
Horticulture and Food Processing Department, Government of Madhya Pradesh, with central support under MIDH.
Can a farmer apply online in 2026?
Yes. Applications for post-harvest components including cold storage are taken on MPFSTS portal, and district offices still accept walk-in help requests.
How are farmers selected?
After the applications are checked, the directorate holds an online lottery and picks eligible farmers from the valid list.
When does the money reach the account?
Only after the unit is built as per rules and department officers verify it. Payment goes straight to the Aadhaar linked bank account.
Is any charge taken for applying?
No fee is charged by the department on the portal. Costs for documents or project report are borne by the farmer.
Who should be contacted for help?
District Horticulture Office of your district, or the MPFSTS help desk email given on the portal home page.