Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced that over Rs 1,100 crore has been distributed to farmers and agri-entrepreneurs in Assam through the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) scheme. This update follows his meeting with Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan in New Delhi, where the AIF was a key focus area of discussion.
Sarma highlighted Assam’s rapid advancement in extending the reach of the central scheme, which aims to enhance rural agricultural infrastructure and improve farmers’ access to post-harvest facilities. Launched by the Central government in 2020, the AIF provides financial support for projects like warehouses, cold storage units, and primary processing centers to strengthen post-harvest management infrastructure.
The scheme has facilitated increased investment in the agriculture sector by granting affordable credit for infrastructure development to farmers, Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), cooperatives, and agri-startups. Assam has been actively promoting agricultural modernization and value-addition initiatives, focusing on establishing storage, processing, and marketing facilities to boost farmers’ income and reduce post-harvest losses.
The Chief Minister’s meeting with Chouhan underscores the ongoing collaboration between the Centre and the state in agricultural development, rural infrastructure, and farmer welfare programs. Assam anticipates further expansion of AIF-supported projects in rural and agrarian districts in the upcoming months.
