Lok Sabha Question No. 266 (STARRED), answered on 2023-08-08
Subject: Agriculture Infrastructure Fund
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Heena Vijaykumar Gavit, Rita Bahuguna Joshi

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

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION No. 266

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 8 th   AUGUST, 2023

## AGRICULTURE INFRASTRUCTURE FUND

*266. DR. HEENA VIJAYKUMAR GAVIT:

PROF. RITA BAHUGUNA JOSHI:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ ͪष और ͩकसान कãयाण मंğी be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of the budget allocated to the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) in 2022-2023;
- (b) the details of funds already utilized as of July, 2023 along with the domain in which these have been utilised;
- (c) whether  the  Government  has  recorded  any  significant  growth  in  agriculture  and  allied activities since implementation of this fund in the country particularly in the States of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra;and
- (d) whether  the  Government  has  recorded  any  increase  in  the  total  number  of  Agroentrepreneurs,Self Help Groups and Joint Liability Groups currently functioning in the country which received assistancefrom the fund in 2022-23 and 2023-24 as of July, 2023 and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ ͪष और ͩकसान कãयाण मंğी (SHRI NARENDRA SINGH TOMAR)

(a) to (d): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

## STATEMENT IN RESPECT OF PARTS (a) TO (d) OF THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 266 FOR 8 TH  AUGUST, 2023 REGARDING AGRICULTURE INFRASTRUCTURE FUND

(a) & (b): 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 postharvest management Infrastructure and community farming assets through incentives and financial support in order to address the existing infrastructure gaps and mobilize investment in agriculture infrastructure.  The  scheme  envisages  provision  of  Rs.  1  Lakh  Crore  by  banks  and  financial institutions as loans with interest subvention (IS) 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 31st July 2023, an investment of Rs 44,208 crore has been mobilized in the country's agriculture  sector  under  this  scheme.  33369  projects  related  to  post-harvest  management  and community farming assets have been approved and a loan amount of Rs 26064 crore has been sanctioned for creating these infrastructures.

In the year 2022-2023, Rs 147.2 crore was spent out of Rs 150 crore allocated in the budget for  payment  of  3%  interest  subvention,  credit  guarantee  fee  and  other  scheme  administrative expenses under the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF). In the current financial year 2023-24, Rs.500 crore has been allocated for this scheme, out of which Rs.140 crore has been utilized till 31.07.2023.

(c): Since the implementation of the scheme, significant development has been observed in the Agri-infra landscape of the country. The contribution of Agri Infra Fund Scheme in this regard is very critical.  In  respect  to  Madhya  Pradesh,  Uttar  Pradesh  and  Maharashtra,  different  type  of infrastructure is being created, including warehouses, primary processing Centres, Custom Hiring centre  and  cold  storage  etc.  Loans  to  the  tune  of  Rs.5077  Cr.  for  6316  projects  like  primary processing centers, custom hiring centers, cold storage and cold chain, warehouse and other postharvest  management  in  Madhya  Pradesh,  Rs.2754  Cr.  for  4178  projects  in  Maharashtra  and Rs.1829 Cr. for 2244 projects in Uttar Pradesh have been disbursed.

(d): The Scheme growth trajectory over the years is quite promising and significant number of Agri-entrepreneurs. Farmers, Farmer Producer Organisations, Primary Agricultural Credit Societies, Self Help Groups and others have availed the benefits under the scheme. In 2022-23,

9166  Agri-entrepreneurs,  5319  farmers,  451  Primary  Agricultural  Credit  Societies,  333  Farmer Producer Organizations and 65 Self-Help Groups have taken benefit of this scheme and in the year 2023-24 (up to July 31, 23), 2554 Agri-entrepreneurs, 3098 farmers, 47 Primary Agricultural Credit Societies, 93 Farmer Producer Organizations and 14 Self-Help Groups have taken advantage of this scheme.

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