Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma revealed that the state will cover 5% of the beneficiary contribution for loans obtained under the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF). Additionally, Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) will receive full backing with the state funding their entire 10% contribution.
Speaking at a workshop in Guwahati on the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund, Sarma highlighted the initiative’s goal of encouraging farmers, agri-entrepreneurs, and FPOs to invest in modern agricultural infrastructure and value-added activities. Assam has been allocated Rs 2,050 crore under the AIF, with loans amounting to Rs 1,181 crore already sanctioned to 893 beneficiaries, including farmers, FPOs, and agri-entrepreneurs.
The Chief Minister mentioned that Rs 736 crore has been disbursed, and there is still potential to utilize nearly Rs 900 crore from the current allocation. Sarma expressed optimism about securing a higher allocation in the next phase, aiming for around Rs 4,000 crore after the Centre’s approval of an additional Rs 1 lakh crore for the scheme nationwide.
The Agriculture Infrastructure Fund, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in August 2020 under the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan, offers loans up to Rs 2 crore per project with a 3% annual interest subvention for seven years, along with collateral-free credit guarantee support. The scheme allows farmers to establish various post-harvest infrastructure such as warehouses, cold storage units, food processing facilities, and more.
