New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off the 100th run of Kisan Rail on Monday. Calling this move a big step towards empowering the farmers of our country PM Modi flagged off the Kisan Rail from Sangola in Maharashtra to Shalimar in West Bengal virtually. Union Minister of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare Narendra Singh Tomar and Union Minister of Railways Piyush Goyal were also present at the virtual event.
Only a handful of trains are plying across the country now, connecting states like Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Bihar and Nagpur. There are nine Kisan Rail at present, running on nine different routes. Addressing the event, PM Modi said that he congratulates crores of farmers of the country. Despite of the COVID-19 situation in the country, the Kisan Rail network has only expanded in the last four months. He further added that Kisan Rail is a big step towards empowering the farmers of the nation as well as increasing their income.
PM Modi said that all the farmers across the country are getting connected by Kisan Rail. PM Modi said that more than 80 per cent of India's small and marginal farmers are getting great power through Kisan Rail. There is no minimum quantum for farmers as they can also send a parcel of 50-100 kg, said PM Modi. Earlier, the farmers had to spend a lot of rent to transport his crops to a distant land. However, with the help of Kisan Rail, the farmer can easily send their crops now. Moreover, the government has given 50% subsidy on the transportation of tomatoes, onions and potatoes.
PM Modi said that more than 6,000 projects have been approved under mega food parks, cold chain infrastructure, agro-processing cluster under the PM Krishi Sampada Yojana. PM Modi said that under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat package, Rs 10,000 crore have been sanctioned for micro food processing industries.