Here Is Everything You Need To Know About 'Agricultural Marketing Infrastructure'

The agricultural marketing sector requires supply chain strengthening through infrastructure investments for value addition to agricultural produce, reduction of post-harvest losses, and so on.

To execute this the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare, Government of India, is implementing the ISAM sub-scheme 'Agricultural Marketing Infrastructure Scheme (AMI).'

From 22.10.2018 onwards, the AMI sub-scheme of ISAM is applicable for new credit-linked projects where term loans have been sanctioned by eligible financial institutions. NABARD is the channeling agency for the release of subsidies ranging from 25% to 33.33% of the capital cost for institutions eligible for refinancing by NABARD or any other FI approved by DAC&FW, such as State Financial Corporation (SFCs).

The Sub-Schemes Main Objectives Are As Follows:

• To develop agricultural marketing infrastructure for effectively managing marketable surplus of agriculture, including horticulture, and allied sectors such as dairy, poultry, fishery, livestock, and minor forest produce.

• To promote innovative and cutting-edge agricultural marketing infrastructure technologies.

• To encourage private and cooperative sector investments in competitive alternative agricultural marketing infrastructure.

• To promote direct marketing to increase market efficiency by reducing intermediaries and handling channels, thereby increasing farmers' income.

• To encourage the development of scientific storage capacity for farm produce processed farm produce, and agricultural inputs, among other things, to reduce post-harvest and handling losses.

Read more: Agricultural Produce Marketing Committee Act

• To provide infrastructure facilities for agricultural produce grading, standardization, and quality certification to ensure a price to farmers commensurate with the quality of the produce.

• Increasing farmers' income through pledge financing and marketing credit, a negotiable warehousing receipt system, and promotion of forward and future markets.

• To promote Integrated Value Chains to provide farmers with vertical integration with primary processors.

• To raise general awareness and provide training on various aspects of agricultural marketing to farmers, entrepreneurs, market functionaries, and other stakeholders.

Eligible Beneficiaries

• Individuals, groups of farmers/growers, and Registered Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs).
• Partnership/ Proprietary firms, Companies, and Corporations;
• Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), as well as Self-Help Groups (SHGs).
• Cooperatives and Cooperative Marketing Federations;
• Autonomous Government Bodies, Local Bodies, and Panchayats.

Read more: Agriculture Infrastructure Marketing Scheme