To provide some relief to the farm sector amid nationwide lockdown that has been further extended till 3rd May, the Agriculture Ministry has started an All India Agri Transport Call Centre that will look after coordination between the states for inter-state movement of perishables like fruits & vegetables, Agri Inputs such as seeds, pesticides and fertilizer etc.
The All India Agri Transport Call Centre can be accessible from the two numbers - 18001804200 & 14488. And these numbers can be called from any landline number or mobile phones, according to a statement released by Agriculture Ministry.
This would facilitate inter-state transportation of vegetables and fruits in a smooth way. Truck drivers, transporters, traders, retailers, or any other stakeholders who are experiencing problems in inter-state movement of above commodities, can ask for help by calling at the Call Centre.
A senior agriculture ministry official said, “Call Centre executive will forward the vehicle & consignment details along-with the help required, to state government officials for resolution of issues”. He told that the Centre is also ensuring supply of seeds to states under the National Food Security Mission (NFSM). And the subsidy pertaining to seeds under NFSM scheme will be for varieties less than ten years.
The official said, “It has also been decided to allow Truthful Label seeds for subsidy component for the North East, Hilly regions & the UTs of Jammu and Kashmir only, for all crops under NFSM”. The official said that about 4000 tonnes of pulses have been despatched to the states for free distribution under PM-GKY or Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana that entitles ration card holders 1 kg of pulse / month for three months.
He added that vegetables and fruits are being sold directly by growers after the centre sent advisories to the states for allowing direct marketing for cultivators. The official also told that “In Maharashtra, 21,11,171 quintals of vegetables and fruits have been sold by 27,797 farmer producer organizations in 34 districts by online or direct sale method”.
