The Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) under the Central government officially introduced Krishi Udan Yojana 2.0 on October 27, 2021. This updated initiative is designed to facilitate the air transport of perishable agricultural goods from hilly regions, tribal districts, and northeastern states. The Krishi Udaan 2.0 program aims to significantly reduce post-harvest food waste across the nation. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the Krishi Udaan Yojana.
What is Krishi Udan Yojana 2.0
The Indian government is dedicated to increasing farmers' earnings, which requires a fundamental transformation in the agricultural sector. Boosting income involves more than just market pricing; it requires a systemic shift in logistics. Under Krishi Udan Yojana 2.0, the MoCA offers full waivers on the following charges for domestic air carriers:
- Landing fees
- Parking fees
- Terminal navigation charges
- Route navigation facility charges
Airports Included in the Krishi Udaan 2.0 Program
The Civil Aviation Ministry is establishing specialized terminals at Leh, Srinagar, Nagpur, Nashik, Ranchi, Bagdogra, Raipur, and Guwahati. A total of 53 airports, primarily managed by the Airports Authority of India, have been selected for inclusion in the Krishi Udan 2.0 framework.
Furthermore, eight new domestic and international trade routes are being inaugurated under the scheme. Notable examples include the Amritsar-Dubai route for baby corn, transport links from Darbhanga for Lychees, and connectivity for Sikkim to ship organic produce to the rest of India.
Establishing Trade Routes under Krishi Udan 2.0
The central administration is also facilitating trade corridors linking Chennai, Vizag, and Kolkata with East Asian nations for seafood exports. Other strategic routes feature Agartala-Delhi-Dubai for pineapples, Dibrugarh-Delhi-Dubai for mandarin oranges, and Guwahati-Hong Kong for pulses and fresh produce.
The Ministry has requested that states lower the sales tax on Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) to 1 percent for participating airlines. Additionally, the ministry and the AAI are creating hub-and-spoke logistics models at various locations including Agartala, Srinagar, Dib