Punjab Ranks Second in India, Sanctions 4,745 Projects under Agri Infra Fund Scheme

The Punjab government has approved more than 4,745 applications, making it the second-highest number of applications sanctioned in India under the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) scheme. These approvals are for a diverse range of post-harvest management projects and community farming assets.

According to the statement by Punjab Horticulture Minister S. Chetan Singh Jauramajra, the state has achieved the second position in the country as of July 31,  in terms of the highest number of applications sanctioned under the AIF scheme.

According to Minister Jauramajra, Madhya Pradesh leads the list with 6,316 sanctioned applications, followed by Punjab with 4,745, Maharashtra with 4,178, Uttar Pradesh with 2,244, and Karnataka with 2,029 sanctioned applications. These figures highlight the top five states in terms of applications approved under the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) scheme as of the given date.

The minister highlighted that the state is utilizing the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) to establish numerous custom hiring centers, primary processing units, storage facilities, cold stores, and more. The implementation of this scheme in Punjab is overseen by the Department of Horticulture, which acts as the central agency. The state has been allocated Rs. 4,713 crore from the country's total financing facility of Rs. 1 lakh crore.

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Under the AIF scheme, eligible activities can avail of a 3 percent interest subvention on term loans up to Rs 2 crore, with the highest interest rate capped at 9 %. Beneficiaries can enjoy the scheme's advantages for 7 years and can combine them with different subsidies. Each beneficiary has the option to initiate up to 25 projects as part of this program.

Jauramajra expressed his gratitude to the farmers and stakeholders in Punjab for their steadfast dedication, which has led to remarkable progress in the agriculture and horticulture sectors of the state. He emphasized that under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, the government remains resolute in its commitment to support and empower the farming community through various initiatives and schemes, aiming to foster agricultural growth and advancement in Punjab.

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Agriculture Infrastructure Fund Scheme (AIF) 

The primary objective of the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund is to provide financial support to agricultural entrepreneurs so that agricultural infrastructure can be easily improved across India.

Objectives for Farmers

• Enhance value realization by enabling direct selling to a wider consumer base through improved marketing infrastructure.

• Minimize post-harvest losses and reduce intermediaries by investing in logistics infrastructure, granting farmers more independence and improved market access.

• Improve returns with access to modern packaging and cold storage systems, allowing farmers to make informed selling decisions.

• Establish community farming assets to enhance productivity and optimize inputs, leading to significant cost savings.

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