UP Govt Issues Strict Guidelines for Cold Storages to Protect Farmers & Ensure Transparency

New rules focus on safety, fair charges, and better potato storage practices

The Uttar Pradesh government has issued comprehensive new guidelines for private cold storages to ensure better regulation, farmer protection, and operational transparency across the state.

The directive, based on the UP Cold Storage Regulation Act, 1976, mandates strict compliance by all cold storage operators and licensing authorities.

point-wise summary of the UP Cold Storage Guidelines Order:

Basic Context

- Issued by UP Government (2 April 2026) for private cold storage operations
- Based on UP Cold Storage Regulation Act, 1976 (amended 1997)
- Mandatory for all licensing authorities and cold storage operators


Key Regulatory Points
- No extra charges
- Cold storage owners cannot charge beyond approved storage/service fees
- Weight variation rule
- Loss/gain in weight due to moisture/drying beyond limits = treated as damage

Storage & Infrastructure Norms
- Rack & stacking standards
- Minimum spacing between racks: 0.75 m
- Distance from wall: 20 cm
- Gap from ceiling: 30 cm
- Max stacking: 6 bags per stack
- Mandatory spacing between bags

Stack rotation
- Bags must be rotated:
- First: within 45 days
- Second: within 90 days

Safety & Compliance
- Strict safety norms
- Machinery, ammonia gas, fire safety, electricity load compliance mandatory
- Mandatory insurance
- Building, machinery, compressor, generator backup
- Potato stock insurance required

Storage Operations (Potato Specific)
- Loading period
- 15 Feb – 31 March (only potato storage priority period)

Other crops storage
- Allowed only after potato loading period
- Must ensure no farmer’s potato remains un-stored
- Temperature & humidity control
- Must maintain suitable conditions for potato quality

Locking period
- No removal allowed during defined cooling period

Restrictions
- Egg storage banned
- Eggs cannot be stored with agricultural produce
- No harmful mixing
- No product that affects stored potatoes can be kept

Pricing & Charges

Storage charges
- Fixed for full season (15 Feb – 30 Nov)
- Partial withdrawal → proportionate charges

Stock & Exit Rules
- Final withdrawal notice
- Must notify farmers 15 days before storage end
- Post-period stock
- Outside regulation → mutual agreement basis

Operational Guidelines
- Waste management mandatory
- Energy efficiency & modern systems
- As per National Cold Chain Development guidelines

Licensing & Governance
- License mandatory
- No cold storage can operate without valid license/renewal
- Portal compliance
- Licensing & renewal must be uploaded on portal

Fire Safety Rules
- Separate norms for: New cold storages (2019 guidelines) &Old cold storages (2020 guidelines)

Farmer Protection
- Farmer Rights Charter Must be displayed at entrance (2x4 ft board)

Dispute prevention
- Strict compliance to avoid farmer loss disputes

Strict Enforcement
- Authorities instructed to ensure strict compliance across UP

What This Means for the Potato Ecosystem

These guidelines are expected to bring greater transparency, improve storage practices, and reduce disputes between farmers and cold storage operators—strengthening trust across the potato value chain.