Page 29 - NIS English January 16-31

KISAN RAIL: FOR GREENER PASTURES

he Government’s commitment for an all
Tinclusive growth of farmers is reflected in
the initiatives taken so far. Creation of Rs 1
Lakh Crore Agriculture Infrastructure Fund
for the uplift of agriculture sector will boost
AatmaNirbhar Bharat Campaign to strengthen
the inter linkages in the sector. It is the vision
of Prime Minister Narendra Modi which is
realised through the Government’s another
ambitious project of Kisan Rail besides others.
Now, flagging off the 100th Kisan Rail from
Sangola in Mahrashtra to Shalimar in West
Bengal by the Prime Minister once again
asserted his resolve to strengthen farmers of
the country.
The Prime Minister expressed happiness that
even during Corona pandemic, 100 Kisan
Rails were started in the last 4 months. No
minimum quantity has been fixed to transport
through Kisan Rail so that even the smallest
produce will be able to reach the big market
properly at a low price.
l Kisan Rail has given millions of small l A parcel of 50-100 kg too can be sent
farmers of West Bengal a huge leverage l A 3 kg packet of pomegranate, which is the
lThe Government’s priority is on storage- smallest consignment of the railway till now
linked infrastructure and processing was sent by rail. Not only this, a poultry farm
industries associated with value addition in owner also sent 17 dozen eggs through it
farming products l With Kisan Rail and Krishi Udan (flight),
l About 6,500 such projects are approved the Government is expanding reach of its
under Mega Food Parks, Cold Chain farmers to far-flung areas of the country as
Infrastructure and Agro Processing Cluster, well as the international market
under the PM Krishi Sampada Yojana. Rs
10,000 Crore have been sanctioned for l It is also a kind of ‘moving cold storage’.
micro food processing industries under That means fruits, vegetables, milk, fish
AatmaNirbhar Abhiyan package and other perishable items are now safely
l Over 80 per cent of the small and marginal reaching from one place to another with
farmers will be benefitted through Kisan Rail complete security

farmers in West Bengal, the scheme is benefiting the lowest premium payable by farmers and the
the farmers of the entire country. Besides this, highest value of crop insured.
PMFBY is one of the largest risk-mitigation With the changes, it is expected that farmers
programmes by the Central Government for would be able to manage risk in agriculture
providing a protective shield to farmers from all production in a better way and will succeed
natural risks over the entire crop cycle. in stabilising the farm income. Further, it will
This scheme is the first of its kind in terms of increase coverage in North Eastern region.

New India Samachar 27