Table of Contents
Krishi UDAN 2.0- Relevance for UPSC Exam
- GS Paper 3: Indian Agriculture- Transport and marketing of agricultural produce and issues and related constraints; e-technology in the aid of farmers.
Krishi UDAN 2.0- Context
- Recently, Krishi UDAN 2.0 was released by the Union Minister of Civil Aviation along with the representatives of the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, FICCI.
Krishi UDAN 2.0- Key Points
- About Krishi UDAN 2.0: Krishi UDAN 2.0 lays out the vision of improving value realization through better integration and optimization of Agri-harvesting and air transportation.
- Krishi UDAN scheme was formulated with support from AAICLAS and Invest India (ministry of commerce and industry).
- AAICLAS is a 100% subsidiary of the Airports Authority of India and Invest India is India’s national Investment Promotion & Facilitation Agency.
- Key Benefits of Krishi UDAN 2.0:
- Krishi UDAN 2.0 will contribute to Agri-value chain sustainability and resilience under different and dynamic conditions.
- The Krishi UDAN 2.0 scheme proposes to facilitate and incentivize the movement of Agri-produce by air transportation.
- Convergence of Agriculture to Aviation(A2A): A2A model is being adopted under Krishi UDAN 2.0 for ensuring maximum benefits to the farmers. The convergence between the two sectors is possible because of 3 primary reasons-
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- Evolutionary possible use of biofuel for aircraft in future,
- Use of drones in the agriculture sector, and
- Due to greater integration and value realization of agricultural products through schemes like Krishi UDAN.
- Scope of the Krishi UDAN 2.0: It will be implemented at 53 airports across the country mainly focusing on Northeast and tribal regions and is likely to benefit farmers, freight forwarders and Airlines.
- The airports are primarily focused on the northeast region. Additionally covers North, entire western coast and southern India (including two islands).
Krishi UDAN 2.0- Key Features
- Facilitation and incentives: Krishi UDAN 2.0 scheme provides a full waiver of Landing, Parking, TNLC and RNFC charges for Indian freighters and P2C at selected Airports.
- Strengthening cargo-related infrastructure at airports and off airports: Facilitating the development of a hub and spoke model and a freight grid.
- Concessions sought from other bodies: The scheme seeks support and encourages States to reduce Sales Tax to 1% on ATF for freighters / P2C aircraft as extended in UDAN flights.
- Resources-Pooling through establishing Convergence mechanism: Collaboration with other government departments and regulatory bodies to provide various stakeholders with Incentives and concessions to enhance air transportation of Agri-produce.
- Technological convergence: Development of E-KUSHAL (Krishi UDAN for Sustainable Holistic Agri-Logistics)
- E-KUSHAL Platform to facilitate information dissemination to all the stakeholders.
- Furthermore, integration of E-KUSHAL with the National Agriculture Market (e-NAM) is proposed.