Staff Reporter / NEW DELHI
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today flagged off the 100th Kisan Rail from Sangola in Maharashtra to Shalimar in West Bengal through video conferencing. In his address, Mr Modi said, Kisan Rail service is a measure to increase the income of the farmers and it will bring a big change in the economy related to farming. He said, it will also increase the strength of country’s cold supply chain. The Prime Minister said, it shows the commitment of the government to serve the farmers. He said, it is also a proof then, how fast our farmers are ready for new possibilities.
Mr Modi said, Kisan Rail and Krishi Udan have a big role for farmers so that they can sell their crops in others states. He said, new technologies are being incorporated into Indian agriculture. The Prime Minister said, government is giving priority to storage linked infrastructure and processing industries associated with value addition in farming products. He said, under Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sampada Yojana six thousand five hundred projects have been approved like Mega Food Parks, Cold Chain Infrastructure and Agro Processing Cluster. Mr Modi said, under Atmanirbhar Abhiyan Package 10 thousand crore rupees have been approved for micro food processing industries.
The Prime Minister said, a facility like Kisan Rail has given millions of small farmers of West Bengal a huge facility. He said, this facility is available to the farmer as well as the local small businessman. Mr Modi said, perishable rail cargo centres are being constructed in the vicinity of Railway Stations where farmers can store their produce. He said, the effort is to supply as much fruits and vegetables as possible to the household. He added that extra produce should reach the entrepreneurs engaged in production of juice, pickle, sauce, chips etc.
Mr Modi said that it is the participation and support of the rural people, farmers and youth that makes the government’s efforts successful. He said, Farmer Producer Organizations, FPOs and cooperative groups like women Self-Help Groups get priority in agri-business and agri-infrastructure.
The Prime Minister said, recent reforms will lead to expansion of agri business and these groups will be the biggest beneficiaries. He said, private investment in agriculture will support the government’s effort to help these groups. Mr Modi said, Government will keep on marching on the path of strengthening Indian agriculture and Farmers with full dedication.
Minister of Railways Piyush Goyal said, Indian Railway is dedicated to fulfill Prime Minister’s resolve of One India, One Market. He said, when the farmers will be self-reliant, villages will be self- reliant and when villages will be self-reliant, then our country will be self-reliant.
The Railway Minister said, 99 Kisan Rails have travelled to 14 states and it is the endeavour of the Ministry to connect the whole country with Kisan rail in the near future. He said, during COVID time from 25th March this year, Railways carried around 51 million tonnes of grains which is 80 per cent more than the previous year.
Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar said, under the able guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the dreams of farmers are being fulfilled. He said, Kisan Rail has benefited the farmers.
The multi-commodity train service flagged by Prime Minister Narendra Modi today is carrying vegetables such as cauliflower, capsicum, cabbage, drumsticks, chillies, onion, as well as fruits like grapes, oranges, pomegranate, banana and custard apple. Loading and unloading of perishable commodities will be permitted at all enroute stoppages with no bar on size of consignment. The Central Government has extended a subsidy of 50 per cent on transportation of fruits and vegetables.
The first Kisan Rail was introduced from Devlali to Danapur on 7th of August this year, which was further extended upto Muzaffarpur. As a result of good response from the farmers, its frequency was also increased from weekly to three days in a week. Kisan Rail has been a game changer in ensuring fast transportation of agriculture produce across the nation. It provides a seamless supply chain of perishable produce.