"The idea is to explore more markets so that farmers can get better rates. It will be very helpful if farmers get better rates by selling in new markets," Khot told PTI.
Khot, who took charge as joint guardian minister of Satara district yesterday, appealed the farmers to cultivate crops keeping newer markets in mind.
Maharashtra government is trying to tap new markets such as West Bengal and Assam for agricultural produce and the vegetable waggon is a part of this endeavour. It will come under 'Rashtriya Kisan Bazar' project.
Mumbai-Guwahati Express leaves from here on Wednesday and Saturday.
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Self-help groups and farmer-producer groups would be linked with the suppliers so that the waggon would get sufficient supply of onion, pomegranates and grapes, among other things.
These items have a long shelf-life and therefore selected for marketing in West Bengal and Assam, Khot said.
The Railways had given in-principle approval for the idea and nitty-gritties such as suppliers, quantity, etc., were being worked out, Khot said.
Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu is from Maharashtra while minister of state for Railways Rajen Gohain is from Assam, hence the state was hopeful of getting final approval for the project, Khot said.