Lok Sabha Question No. 3020 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-08-08
Subject: BHARAT Campaign under AIF
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Prataprao  Jadhav, Sambhajirao Mane Dhairyasheel, Sanjay Sadashivrao Mandlik, Shrirang Appa Barne, Sudheer Gupta, Bidyut Baran Mahato

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE & FARFMERS WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No-3020

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 8 TH  AUGUST  2023

## BHARAT CAMPAIGN UNDER AIF

3020.  SHRI PRATAPRAO JADHAV : SHRI SHRIRANG APPA BARNE: SHRI DHAIRYASHEEL SAMBHAJIRAO MANE: SHRI SANJAY SADASHIVRAO MANDLIK: SHRI SUDHEER GUPTA: SHRI BIDYUT BARAN MAHATO:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE क ृ षि और षकसान कल्याण मंत्री be pleased to state:

- (a):  whether  the  Government  has  launched  a  new  flagship  month-long  campaign  for Banks called BHARAT (Banks Heralding Accelerated Rural & Agriculture Transformation) under Agriculture Infrastructure Fund;
- (b): if so, the details thereof and the highlights, salient features, aims and objectives of the said campaign;
- (c): the details of the programmes that are organized or likely to be organized during the month long campaign in different parts of the country;
- (d):   Whether the Government has set any target with respect to AIF launched for 10 years (from the financial year 2020-2032) and if so, the details thereof; and
- (e):    Whether  the  Government  has  appealed  the  banks  to  achieve  the  targets considering the potential for Agri-Infra projects and if so, the response of the Banks in this regard ?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE क ृ षि एवं षकसान कल्याण मंत्री (SHRI NARENDRA SINGH TOMAR)

- (a) & (b) Yes, Sir. In order to address the existing infrastructure gaps and mobilize investment  in  agriculture  infrastructure,  Agriculture  Infrastructure  Fund  (AIF)  scheme was launched in 2020 with an objective to mobilize a medium - long-term debt financing

facility for investment in viable projects for post-harvest management Infrastructure and community  farming  assets  through  incentives  and  financial  support.  The  scheme envisages provision of Rs. 1 Lakh Crore by banks and financial institutions as loans with interest  subvention  of  3%  per  annum  and  credit  guarantee  coverage  under  Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises (CGTMSE) for loans up to Rs. 2 Crores. As on date, loans amounting to Rs. 26,064 Crores have been sanctioned for 33,369  projects  and  these  sanctioned  projects  have  mobilized  an  investment  of  Rs. 44,208 crores in the agriculture sector.

A  new  campaign  named  'BHARAT'  (Banks  Heralding  Accelerated  Rural  & Agriculture  Transformation)  has  been  launched  by  the  Government  under  Agriculture Infrastructure Fund Scheme to provide maximum benefits to the people and to create a competitive  spirit  among  the  Banks  and  lending  institutions  to  mobilize  agriculture infrastructure projects loan at a faster pace. This is a month-long Campaign from 15 th July  2023  to  15 th   August  2023.  Top  performing  Banks  under  different  categories  i.e. commercial Banks in public and private Sector, Regional Rural Banks, Small Finance Banks (SFBs), Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) and cooperative Banks will be selected at the end of the Campaign and their special contribution will be recognized. As on 31.07.2023, overall Rs.1239 Crs have been sanctioned by numerous banks for 1375 projects under BHARAT campaign.

(c) This  Campaign was launched on 12 th   July,  2023  which  was  attended  by more than 100 Banking Executives that included MDs/Chairman, EDs of commercial Banks in public  and  private  sector,  Regional  Rural  Banks,  Small  Finance  Banks,  NBFCs  and select cooperative Banks. Moreover, the daily performance under the campaign is being shared  among  all  the  Banks  through  messages  at  the  closing  of  business  hours  of Banks every day. These daily updates generate much enthusiasm and competitive spirit among the Banks and lending institutions to perform and exceed their targets.  Ministry is  committed  to  have  regular  interactions  with  the  Bank  Executives  through  various modes  of  communication  in  between  with  a  view  to  review  performance  under  the campaign and to persuade the slow movers and non-starters to perform.

(d) & (e) Yes, Banks have been requested to achieve the targets considering the potential    for  agri  infra  projects  from  time  to  time  and  the  response  of  the  banks  is encouraging. This ministry sets AIF annual targets for individual Banks on the basis of their clientele base, geographical reach and share in the agricultural advance and past performance.  The  department  maintains  regular  touch  with  every  bank  through  its designated AIF Nodal Officer in the Head Office for implementation of the AIF Scheme from  the  submission  of  application  to  reimbursement  of  Scheme  benefits.  Interaction with Banks' top Executives and their Nodal Officers takes place to review the progress of the Scheme and providing handholding support at regular intervals such as 'Bankers are Anchors ' programme conducted at NABARD HQ in Dec.2022.

Further,  Ministry  conducts  capacity  building  programmes  at  Bankers'  Training Colleges on physical mode and awareness sessions on AIF Scheme with Bank officials from Head Offices and controlling offices of various Banks on VC mode to promote the Scheme.  which displays the enthusiasm of the Banks in general. Special award giving ceremonies are also organised to acknowledge the contribution of top performing Bank Executives  and  their  Team  members.  Social  media  groups  comprising  Banks'  AIF Teams serve as the fast mode of  communication  with  Banks for persuading  them  to lend more and more under AIF for creation of agriculture infrastructure and this forum also helps in sorting out operational issues and providing handholding support.

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