The Ministry of Railways has said that introduction of Kisan Rails have given farmers wide access of Indian markets and it has so far carried 2.7 lakh tonnes of consignment. Till now, 60 routes have been operationalised for Kisan Rail. The Ministry said, Indian Railways, with its pan-India network, forms an integral part of the government plan to raise incomes in farm sector by encouraging transportation by rail.

The Ministry said, Kisan Rail enables movement of perishables including fruits, vegetables, meat, poultry, fishery and dairy products from production or surplus regions to consumption or deficient regions. It also enables farmers to utilize the vast railway network to gain access to distant, bigger and more lucrative markets.

The Ministry also informed that Under ‘Operation Greens – TOP to Total’ scheme of Ministry of Food Processing Industries 50 per cent subsidy in freight is granted on transportation of fruits and vegetables through Kisan Rail trains services. Since the introduction of this subsidy scheme, till 15th June this year, an amount of 52.38 crore rupees has been disbursed as subsidy through Kisan Rail.