In a major relief for apple growers, Himachal Pradesh has inaugurated a decentralized cold chain system in Shimla and Kinnaur. The system includes solar-powered cold rooms at farm clusters, refrigerated trucks for transport, and a digital inventory platform. Farmers can now store produce for 30+ days, avoiding distress sales. Refrigerated vans connect directly to Delhi and Chandigarh mandis, reducing transit damage. The platform also lists real-time prices and connects sellers with bulk buyers. This model has raised average farmgate prices by 20%. The government has subsidized 60% of installation costs and trained 1,200 farmers on cold chain usage. It’s expected to curb post-harvest losses and improve bargaining power, especially for smallholders. With positive feedback from growers, plans are underway to expand the model to stone fruits like apricot and cherry.