Indian Railways to transport potatoes via freight trains to increase farmers profit
Indian Railways is planning to move potato transport from roads to rail to help farmers get better prices. Recent meetings and record-breaking loading figures show a push towards making agricultural transport more efficient. The government is focusing on reducing costs and improving the speed of delivery for perishable goods.
How will this plan help potato farmers
The government has approved the purchase of 20 lakh metric tonnes of potatoes in Uttar Pradesh to support farmers. To make transport cheaper, Indian Railways is offering rates below ₹1 per km per tonne for routes from Agra to North-East India. Additionally, the ‘Shetkari Samriddhi’ Kisan Rail was launched to connect farmers directly to distant markets, ensuring they get fair prices for their produce.
What are the latest updates on potato loading
The Firozpur Division recorded a significant achievement by transporting 27,174 metric tonnes of potatoes in 477 wagons between December 2025 and April 2026. This operation generated revenue of ₹29.54 crore for the railways. In Agra, officials from the Horticulture Department and Railway administration met on April 24, 2026, to discuss better ventilation in wagons and faster turnaround times for perishable cargo.
Key data on railway agricultural transport
| Event/Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| UP Potato Purchase | 20 Lakh Metric Tonnes approved |
| Firozpur Division Loading | 27,174 MT (Dec 2025 – Apr 2026) |
| Firozpur Revenue | ₹29.54 Crore |
| Agra Transport Rate | Less than ₹1 per km per tonne |
| Overall Freight Record | Over 1 Billion Tonnes in FY 2025-26 |