[Answered] Discuss the role of the Indian Railways in reducing post-harvest losses of perishable agricultural commodities. What measures can be taken to further enhance its efficiency?

The Indian Railways plays a crucial role in reducing post-harvest losses of perishable agricultural commodities by providing an efficient and cost-effective mode of transportation.

Role of Indian Railways in Reducing Post-Harvest Losses

• Dedicated Freight Corridors: The establishment of dedicated freight corridors, such as the Eastern and Western Dedicated Freight Corridors, enhances the speed and efficiency of freight movement, including perishables.
• Refrigerated Vans: Indian Railways has introduced refrigerated vans and wagons to transport perishable goods like fruits, vegetables, dairy products, and meat, maintaining the required temperature to prevent spoilage.
• Kisan Rail: Launched to facilitate the movement of perishables, Kisan Rail services connect farmers to markets across the country, reducing transit time and losses. These trains offer cold storage facilities and are subsidized to make them affordable for farmers.
• Tie-ups with E-commerce and Agri-tech Companies: Indian Railways collaborates with e-commerce and agri-tech companies to streamline the supply chain, ensuring last-mile connectivity and efficient logistics.

Measures to Enhance Efficiency

• Improving Rail Connectivity to Rural Areas: Enhancing rail connectivity to rural and remote areas will enable farmers to access the railway network more easily, reducing delays and post-harvest losses.
• Expansion of Cold Chain Infrastructure: Increasing the number of refrigerated vans and establishing more cold storage facilities at railway stations will help preserve the quality of perishables during transit.
• Integration with National Agriculture Market (e-NAM): Integrating railway services with the e-NAM platform can facilitate the seamless movement of goods and better price discovery for farmers, reducing post-harvest losses and ensuring fair prices.
• Digitization and Real-time Tracking: Implementing advanced tracking systems for real-time monitoring of perishable goods can help in better management of logistics and timely interventions to prevent spoilage.

Conclusion

While India is the second largest producer of agricultural products globally, its share in agricultural exports is a mere 2.4%, ranking it eighth in the world. By taking these steps, India can significantly reduce post-harvest losses and improve its competitiveness in the global agricultural export market. The environmental benefits of shifting to rail transport for perishables would also be significant, as trains generate up to 80% less carbon dioxide than trucks.