About

• The Union Budget 2020-21 made an announcement to run the Kisan Rail services to provide better market opportunity by transporting perishables and agri-products, including milk, meat, and fish. 
• This is a multi-commodity, multi-consignor/consignee, multi-loading/unloading transportation product which is aimed at providing a wider market to Kisan.
• This service will help in bringing perishable agricultural products like vegetables, fruits to the market in a short period of time. The trains with frozen containers are expected to build a seamless national cold supply chain for perishables, inclusive of fish, meat and milk.
• The primary objective of running Kisan Rail trains is to increase the income in the farm sector by connecting production centers to markets and consumption centers. It is a step towards realizing the goal of doubling farmers’ incomes by 2022. 
• The first Kisan Rail train was flagged-off on 07.08.2020 between Devlali (Maharashtra) and Danapur (Bihar).

Why in News?

• The Ministry of Railways has said that introduction of Kisan Rails has 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. 
• 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.

Reference:

1. https://newsonair.gov.in/News?title=Railways-Ministry-says-Kisan-Rails-given-farmers-wide-access-of-Indian-markets&id=420346