Amaravati:
Connecting farmers to agricultural markets, the first Kisan Rail was stopped Wednesday from Andhra Pradesh, carrying 322 tonnes of fresh fruit to Azadpur Mandi in Delhi. Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar and Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh YS Jagan Mohan Reddy reported the departure of Kisan Rail via video link from New Delhi and Amaravati.
Union Minister of State for Railways Suresh Angadi, Anantapuramu MP T Rangaiah, Chief Railways Officer Gajanan Mallya, Anantapuramu District Receiver Gandham Chandrudu and others attended. attached to the event.
The Kisan Rail is a boon for farmers, especially those who grow horticultural crops, as it ensures that products reach markets quickly. “This gives immense benefits to farmers in many ways. Huge quantities can be transported at one time, transport time is reduced, costs are reduced and losses are also minimal,” collector Chandrudu told the PTI press agency.
Under the current truck transport system, post-harvest losses of around 25 percent resulted in a loss of Rs 300 crore per year for farmers. “We can now eliminate that because shipping by Kisan Rail will keep the products intact and earn a premium price. In addition to wiping out losses due to transport damage, farmers can also earn Rs 400 crore per year by realizing a higher price on their produce, ”Mr. Chandrudu added.
Anantapuramu, in Andhra Pradesh, is considered the “fruit bowl” of the state, where the area under horticulture is over two lakh hectares. While the consumption of fruits and vegetables in the state is only around six lakh tonnes, the rest is marketed across the country and abroad.
“Sweet oranges, bananas, mangoes, papayas, pomegranates and melons are our main products and they have a good market in Delhi, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Goa, Tamil Nadu, Haryana, UP, West Bengal, Gujarat and Karnataka. Most of them fruits are also exported to the countries of Bangladesh, Nepal and the Middle East, ”said the collector.
According to the plan, the Kisan Rail will operate once a week now, but as harvest resumes after October, the frequency can be increased depending on demand.
