Parliament Question: Flights under Krishi UDAN Scheme

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 6292 ( TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 2nd April 2026 ) FLIGHTS UNDER KRISHI UDAN SCHEME 6292. SHRI THARANIVENTHAN M S Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION be pleased to state:- (a) the total number of flights operated under Krishi Udan scheme during the last three years, State-wise, particularly for Tamil Nadu; (b) the volume and types of perishable agricultural produce transported under the said scheme along with the number of farmers benefited; (c) whether the Government has evaluated the impact of the scheme on farmers' income, market access and reduction of post-harvest losses and if so, the details thereof; (d) the steps taken to increase awareness and participation of small and marginal farmers in the said scheme; and (e) the measures adopted to integrate Krishi Udan scheme with other logistics, cold chain infrastructure and e-marketing platforms to ensure timely delivery of agricultural products? ANSWER Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION (Shri Murlidhar Mohol) (a) to (e) Krishi UDAN Scheme aims to ensure seamless, cost-effective, time-bound, air transportation and associated logistics for all Agri-produce originating especially from the Northeast, hilly and tribal regions of the country, so that it improves their value realisation. The perishable tonnage handled in Tamil Nadu are as under: FY Quantity (in Lakh MT); 2022-23; 0.30 2023-24; 0.34 2024-25; 0.35 With the repeal of the Air Corporation Act in March 1994, the Indian aviation sector has been deregulated. Consequently, the decision to operate on any route rests solely with the airlines, based on the route's economic viability and other relevant commercial considerations. Krishi Udan is a convergence scheme of various initiatives by eight Ministries/Departments namely Ministry of Civil Aviation, Department of Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare, Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Department of Commerce, Ministry of Tribal Affairs and Ministry of Development of North-Eastern. Perishable commodities such as horticulture, fishery, livestock and processed products are covered under the Krishi Udan Scheme.In order to facilitate and incentivise movement of agri-produce by air transportation, waiver of landing and parking charges is provided for Indian freighters and P2C (Passenger-to- Cargo) Aircraft by the Airports Authority of India (AAI) and the Ministry of Defence at selected airports under the Krishi Udan Scheme. In addition, Route Navigation Facility Charges (RNFC) and Terminal Navigational Landing Charges (TNLC) are waived at such selected AAI airports. Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), also organizes training and capacity building programs in collaboration with concerned Ministries for its stakeholders to sensitize its members regarding Government Schemes like Krishi Udan. ******