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Agro Farm Ventures

Project: Agro Farm

Client: AgroFarm
Location: Narchet, Theog Shimla, Himachal Pradesh
Storage Capacity: 2,500 Metric Tonnes (MT) of Apples

India produces around 2.5 million metric tonnes of apples annually, with Jammu and Kashmir contributing nearly 70 to 75 percent and Himachal Pradesh around 20 to 25 percent of the total. While a small share, roughly 10 to 15 percent of the harvest, is preserved in Controlled Atmosphere (CA) storage to extend shelf life, the majority is sold or distributed fresh soon after harvest or stored in regular cold storages for shorter period of time.

Project Overview

This project marks the successful commissioning of a 2,500 MT Controlled Atmosphere (CA) cold storage facility for apples in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh. Promoted by Mr. Sachin Sharma, the facility ensures long-term preservation of apples harvested from the upper hill regions maintaining their natural firmness, colour, and taste for up to 8–10 months after harvest.

Unlike most CA system providers that use PSA (Pressure Swing Adsorption) and Membrane technology meant for industrial gas generation, we use VSA (Vacuum Swing Adsorption) a system specially designed for agricultural Controlled Atmosphere storage.

We work with STOREX technology, which focuses not just on efficiency but on uncompromising quality from design and installation to performance and service.

We take pride in this difference, and you are welcome to visit our recently completed CA installation in Theog, Shimla to experience the technology and results firsthand.

Scope of Work
  • Turnkey installation of Storex CA machinery, including N2 Generator, CO2 Scrubber, and supporting Equipments.
  • Supply and commissioning of Bitzer rack-based refrigeration system (258 kW capacity) operating on Freon refrigerant for high efficiency and advanced load control to ensure optimal energy performance.
  • Integration of CA and refrigeration modules into a unified control architecture for seamless operation.
  • Fabrication and insulation of storage chambers with uniform airflow and humidity control.
  • On-site testing, calibration, and training for operational staff before the harvest intake.
Technology

VSA (Vaccum Swing Absorption)

  • Utilizes VSA instead of PSA (Pressure Swing Adsorption) and Membrane technology
  • Operates at low pressure, ensuring safer and more efficient performance
  • No requirement for high-capacity air compressors, Significantly reducing power consumption
  • Contains fewer moving parts, enhancing system reliability
  • Low maintenance design, resulting in reduced operational downtime and cost

Storage Conditions:

    • Temperature: 0°C to 1°C
    • Relative Humidity: 90–95%
    • Oxygen: 1.0–2.0%
    • CO₂: 1.0–2.0%
  • Chamber Design: Modular, insulated, and optimized for airflow uniformity.
  • Power Efficiency: Equipped with Bitzer compressor racks featuring optimized staging and smart defrost control, ensuring high cooling efficiency and reduced energy consumption.

Impact

  • Preserves apple quality and extends market availability window by several months
  • Strengthens Himachal’s cold chain infrastructure, setting a benchmark for efficient apple CA stores in the region
Completion Note

The project demonstrates our expertise in integrating Controlled Atmosphere and Refrigeration Systems as a single, intelligent solution. By adopting Storex technology, we delivered a facility that maintains product integrity, ensures operational efficiency, and supports sustainable post-harvest management for one of India’s most valuable horticultural commodities.