Parliament Question: Difficulties faced by Farmers for Transportation of their Produce

**Executive Summary:** This document summarizes the Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare's response to questions regarding the difficulties faced by farmers in transporting produce, steps taken to address this issue in Tamil Nadu, alternatives considered, and efforts to double farmer income. Agriculture and agricultural marketing are state subjects. The government is working with states, including Tamil Nadu, to improve market access and farmer income through various schemes and strategies. The response was provided on July 22, 2025. **Key Points / Main Content:** * **Transportation of Produce:** * Agriculture and agricultural marketing is a state subject. * The government is collaborating with states, including Tamil Nadu, to improve transportation of produce to markets. * This involves developing alternative marketing channels like farmer consumer markets and direct purchase options. * Promoting Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) for collective marketing is a key strategy. * Utilization of the National Agriculture Market (eNAM) via Farmgate App is encouraged. * **Doubling Farmer Income:** * The government is implementing a 6-point strategy to improve farmer socioeconomic status. * This strategy includes increasing production, reducing production costs, compensating crop losses, ensuring fair prices, promoting crop diversification, and advancing natural/organic farming. * Various schemes and programs are initiated to enhance farmer income, including: * Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PMKISAN) * Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maan Dhan Yojana (PMKMY) * Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) / Restructured Weather Based Crop Insurance Scheme (RWBCIS) * Modified Interest Subvention Scheme (MISS) * Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) * Formation and Promotion of 10,000 Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) * National Bee Keeping and Honey Mission (NBHM) * Namo Drone Didi * National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF) * Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay SanraksHan Abhiyan (PMAASHA) * Agri Fund for StartUps Rural Enterprises AgriSURE * Per Drop More Crop (PDMC) * SubMission on Agriculture Mechanization (SMAM) * Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) * Soil Health Fertility (SHF) * Rainfed Area Development (RAD) * Agroforestry * Crop Diversification Programme (CDP) * SubMission on Agriculture Extension (SAME) * SubMission on Seed and Planting Material (SMSP) * National Food Security and Nutrition Mission (NFSNM) * Integrated Scheme for Agriculture Marketing (ISAM) * Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) * National Mission on Edible Oils (NMEO-Oil Palm) * National Mission on Edible Oils (NMEO-Oilseeds) * Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region * Digital Agriculture Mission * National Bamboo Mission **Impact Analysis** * **Farmers:** * *Impact:* Farmers in Tamil Nadu and across the country will benefit from improved transportation infrastructure, market access, and increased income through various government schemes. * *Action Required:* Farmers should engage with state and national initiatives, form or join FPOs, utilize eNAM, and adopt best practices for production and diversification. * **State Governments (including Tamil Nadu):** * *Impact:* State governments are responsible for agriculture and agricultural marketing. * *Action Required:* States should collaborate with the central government to implement schemes, improve infrastructure, and facilitate market access for farmers. * **Central Government (Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare):** * *Impact:* The Ministry is responsible for formulating policies and implementing schemes to improve farmer income and agricultural marketing. * *Action Required:* The Ministry should continue to work with states, monitor the progress of schemes, and address challenges in the agriculture sector.

Key Entities Referenced