Lok Sabha Question No. 1337 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-03
Subject: Developing a sustainable and robust Agricultural Industry
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Eatala Rajender, Shri Suresh Kumar Shetkar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1337

TO BE ANSWERED ON 3 rd  DECEMBER, 2024

## DEVELOPING A SUSTAINABLE AND ROBUST AGRICULTURAL INDUSTRY

1337.  SHRI EATALA RAJENDER: SHRI SURESH KUMAR SHETKAR:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE क ृ िष और िकसान कʞाण मंũी be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is taking any steps for developing a sustainable and robust agricultural industry which is an imperative and if so, the details thereof and the steps being taken in this regard;
- (b) whether the countries such as China and India which have similar experience of small scale farming could step in to develop crops and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether some countries have the right experience and tools to support African agriculture  to  become  more  climate  resilient  and  developing  satellite  systems  to improve weather forecasting is one way and if so, the details thereof and the steps taken in this regard; and
- (d) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE क ृ िष और िकसान कʞाण राǛ मंũी (SHRI BHAGIRATH CHAUDHARY)

(a) : The Department of Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare is implementing "Innovation and  Agri-Entrepreneurship  Development"  programme  under  Rashtriya  Krishí  Vikas Yojana (RKVY) from 2018-19, with the objective of promoting innovation and agrientrepreneurship, by providing financial and technical support for nurturing startups. 5 Knowledge Partners (KPs) and 24 RKVY Agribusiness Incubators (R-ABls) have been appointed for training & incubation of startups and implementation of this programme. Under the programme, financial support up to Rs. 5 lakh is provided at the idea/ pre seed stage  and  up  to  Rs.  25  lakh  at  the  seed  stage  to  entrepreneurs/  startups  in agriculture & allied sector to launch their products, services, business platforms, etc. in  the  market  and  to  facilitate  them  in  scaling  up.  These  programs  are  set  to revolutionize  India's  agricultural  sector  by  investing  in  modernizing  post-harvest management, expanding cold chain facilities, and improving market access. They aim to boost production, reduce post-harvest losses, ensure better returns for farmers and create sustainable growth in the agricultural value chain.

The  government  is  advancing  agricultural  productivity  through  a  broad  range  of centrally supported initiatives. These  efforts include developing infrastructure, enhancing crop, horticultural practices, and ensuring seed quality. To improve storage facilities,  the  government  is  implementing  the  Agricultural  Marketing  Infrastructure (AMI)  scheme,  a  component  of  the  Integrated  Scheme  for  Agricultural  Marketing (ISAM).  This  scheme  provides  assistance  for  the  construction  or  renovation  of godowns and warehouses in rural areas to boost agricultural storage capacity.

The Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AlF) Scheme supports sustainable agriculture by financing infrastructure projects across India. AIF facilitates medium- and long-term loans from banks and other lending institutions for farm-gate and aggregation point projects,  with a target of ₹ 1 lakh crore by 2025-26. Loans up to 2 crore feature a capped  interest  rate  of  9%,  along  with  a  3%  annual  interest  subvention  and reimbursement of credit guarantee fees for up to seven years, ensuring affordability for beneficiaries. The objective of AIF Scheme is to support a sustainable and robust agricultural industry, focusing on setting up infrastructure and viable farming assets to support both farming and agro-industrial development. On the industrial front, the AIF facilitates  convergence with other Government  schemes  like Pradhan  Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) in food processing and Pradhan  Mantri  Kisan  Urja  Surksha  evam  Utthan  Mahabhiyaan  (PM-KUSUM)  for renewable energy integration, ensuring value addition and optimum value realisation. The  AIF  fosters  innovation  in  precision  farming  and  value-added  products  by empowering agritech startups and entrepreneurs. Additionally, it connects ecosystem players, fostering collaboration between entrepreneurs and farmers for greater impact. Above  all,  the  AIF  initiative  supports  rural  industrialization,  creating  employment opportunities and boosting markets of processed agricultural goods. Furthermore, the promotion of sustainability through green practices, digital tools, and environmentally friendly technologies ensures the development of a resilient agro-industry that aligns with national and global goals for sustainable agriculture.

(b) to (d): No such information is maintained.

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