On Wednesday, Union Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia released the 2nd phase of the scheme, i.e. Krishi Udan 2.0 to pay special attention to the transportation of agricultural products and fruits by strengthening the cargo-related infrastructure at Nashik airport.
Currently, in exporting various agricultural and horticultural products, HALCON (Nashik-based) – a joint venture between Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) and Container Corporation of India (CONCOR) is involved. On a daily basis, around 700 tons of vegetables are transported from Nashik to Mumbai and Gujarat. And a bulk of other products is send to Mumbai and from there they are exported overseas, via air or by cargo ships.
“If the connectivity for air cargo increases, transportation costs will reduce. This will be beneficial for the farmers” – said a Halcon official.
Nashik is famous for producing grapes and vegetables on a large scale. Sending vegetables and fruits via road to the Northeastern states becomes difficult as the products are perishable.
. Jayant Sanap, a Nashik-based vegetable and fruit exporter said – “Transporting these products by road has also become much costlier due to the rising fuel prices. Therefore, if grapes and other vegetables from Nashik are transported via air cargo to the Northeastern states, it will be a boon for farmers and traders.”
Sanap added – “Nashik will get access to major domestic markets across the country due to its inclusion in the Krishi UDAN 2.0. This will indirectly benefit both farmers, as well as the traders.”
A senior of Maharashtra State Agriculture Marketing Board (MSAMB), Chandrashekhar Rai said – “there is a limitation to sending vegetables to promote parts of the country as the products are perishable. However, farmers and traders will now be able to send vegetables and fruits across the country due to the inclusion of the Ozar airport in the Krishi UDAN 2.0 plan.”
