KANCHANPUR: Farmers in Dodhara Chandani Municipality are facing losses as a cold storage facility built to preserve agricultural produce has remained non-functional since its handover.

The facility, constructed at a cost of Rs 600,000 by the Sudurpashchim Provincial Government and handed over in fiscal year 2022/23, has not been brought into operation due to the absence of a required three-phase electricity connection.

According to the municipality’s Agriculture Development Office, efforts to install the power supply have been unsuccessful, preventing the storage unit from being used.

Farmers say the situation has led to significant losses, with potatoes, onions, and seed stock rotting due to lack of preservation facilities. Local farmers also reported that they are unable to secure fair prices for their produce in the absence of proper storage.

Despite increased interest in commercial vegetable farming supported by government subsidies, farmers say inadequate infrastructure continues to undermine agricultural productivity and income stability in the area.