The Indian government, through the Ministry of Civil Aviation and the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, has launched Krishi Udan 2.0, an ambitious initiative aimed at transforming the agricultural sector by enhancing air transportation of farm produce. This scheme seeks to significantly reduce post-harvest losses and increase farmers income by facilitating the efficient movement of perishable goods.
What is Krishi Udan 2.0?
The Krishi Udan Scheme was initially launched in August 2020. Building upon the success of it, Krishi Udan 2.0 focuses on strengthening air cargo infrastructure and streamlining logistics for agricultural products. The scheme emphasizes the transportation of high-value and perishable commodities from land-locked regions (especially from Northeast, hilly, and tribal regions) to national and international markets. It encourages airlines to offer concessions on the movement of farmers’ produce, thereby making air cargo more accessible and affordable for agricultural stakeholders.
Key Objectives and Benefits:
Reduced Post-Harvest Losses: By enabling faster transportation, the scheme aims to minimize spoilage of fruits, vegetables, flowers, and other perishable items, a significant challenge for Indian farmers.
Increased Farmer Income: Quicker access to wider markets, including international ones, allows farmers to fetch better prices for their produce, directly boosting their profitability.
Enhanced Connectivity: Krishi Udan 2.0 focuses on developing air cargo hubs and improving connectivity from remote agricultural areas, ensuring that produce from even the most distant regions can reach consumers efficiently.
Support for Specific Commodities: The scheme prioritizes the transportation of specific high-value crops like fruits, vegetables, seafood, and flowers, which are often sensitive to transit times.
Financial Incentives: Airlines transporting agricultural products are provided with concessions on landing charges, parking charges, and Terminal Navigation Landing Charges (TNLC) at selected airports.
Government’s Vision:
The Krishi Udan 2.0 will be implemented in total 58 airports all over the country mainly focusing on Northeast and tribal regions (landlocked areas) and is likely to benefit farmers, freight forwarders and Airlines.
7 focus routes & products
| Routes | Products |
|---|---|
| Amritsar – Dubai | Babycorn |
| Darbhanga – Rest of India | Lichis |
| Sikkim – Rest of India | Organic produce |
| Chennai, Vizag, Kolkata – Far East | Seafood |
| Agartala – Delhi & Dubai | Pineapple |
| Dibrugarh – Delhi & Dubai | Mandarin & Oranges |
| Guwahati – Hong Kong | Pulses, fruits & vegetables |
Source: PIB