Kisan Rail Freight transportation of notified fruits, vegetables subsidized by 50 per cent

In a massive incentive for the farmers, the Centre has decided to provide 50 per cent subsidy on transportation of notified fruits and vegetables using Kisan Rail services.
Under ‘Operation Greens – TOP to Total’ scheme of the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) along with Ministry of Railways have decided to extend the subsidy with effect from Wednesday, according to an official release.

Fruits such as Mango, Banana, Guava, Kiwi, Litchi, Papaya, Mousambi, Orange, Kinnow, Lime, Lemon, Pineapple, Pomegranate, Jackfruit, Apple, Almond, Aonla, Passion fruit and Pear; and Vegetables such as French Beans, Bitter Gourd, Brinjal, Capsicum, Carrot, Cauliflower, Green Chillies, Okra, Cucumber, Peas, Garlic, Onion, Potato and tomato will get the benefit with immediate effect.

Any other fruit or vegetable can be added to the list in the future based on a recommendation by the Ministry of Agriculture or a state government. The subsidy shall be granted directly to Kisan Rail, for which MoFPI will provide necessary funds to railway ministry, it said.

Kisan Rail ensures agro-products reach from one corner to another quickly benefitting both farmers and the consumers. The Kisan Rail catering to the requirements of small farmers and small traders is proving to be not only a game-changer but also a life changer as it fulfils the endeavour of increasing the income of farmers.

Kisan Rail gives the assurance of better price with faster and cheaper transportation, providing seamless supply chain, preventing the destruction of perishable farm produce thereby opening up the scope to increase the income of farmers, the official release stated.

The first Kisan Rail from Devlali in Maharashtra to Danapur in Bihar was inaugurated in August as a weekly train. Subsequently, on popular demand, the train has been extended to Muzaffarpur (Bihar) and made bi-weekly.

After that a weekly Kisan Rail from Anantapur in Andhra Pradesh to Adarsh Nagar in Delhi and one from Bengaluru in Karnataka to Hazrat Nizamuddin in Delhi) was inaugurated in September. A Kisan Rail from Nagpur and Warud Orange City in Maharashtra to Adarsh Nagar Delhi was inaugurated on Wednesday.