Narendra Singh Tomar Inaugurates Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) Award Ceremony

Union Minister of Agriculture Narendra Singh Tomar today (30 July 2022) inaugurated the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund Award Ceremony by lighting the lamp at NASC Complex, Pusa in New Delhi.

Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare, Kailash Choudhary, Manoj Ahuja, Secretary in the MoA&FW, Addl. Secretary Abhilaksh Likhi, Samuel Praveen Kumar, Joint Secretary, MoA&FW and other senior officials from from various States, Top Executives and Senior Officials from Banks, NABARD, NABCONS (NABARD Consultancy Services), scheme beneficiaries, etc. were present on the occasion.

The award will be presented to the Banks and States for their contribution to the AIF scheme.

Manoj Ahuja, Secretary of Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (MoA&FW) in the inaugural speech highlighted the simplicity of the Portal Based Agri Fund Scheme and asked the banks to sanction one loan from each branch under the ongoing NOBOL campaign to make it successful.

Samuel Praveen Kumar, Joint Secretary, MoA&FW in his welcome address praised the Bankers as well as the State Government for their commendable contribution in carrying forward the AIF Scheme.

What is Agriculture Infrastructure Fund

Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) was established two years ago as a dedicated Central Government scheme to provide medium-long term credit facility for investment in the creation of post-harvest management infrastructure and community farming assets under the ambitious Aatmanirbhar Bharat Package.

This facility includes financial assistance in the form of a 3% interest subsidy from the government and credit guarantee from the CGTMSE fee up to two crore rupees. This scheme can be combined with existing Central and State Government schemes.

Kailash Choudhary, MoS, MoA&FW at AIF award ceremony highlighted the adage “#AtmaNirbharKisan - #AtmaNirbharBharat” and complimented the Banking system for the progress achieved in modern India and also motivated Bankers to work harder to make the nation stronger.

Tomar presents the awards to the winning banks i.e. SBI, PNB, Bank of India,Bank of Baroda, Central Bank of India, Canara Bank, Kotak Mahindra Bank.

He also gave awards to HDFC Bank, Bank of Maharashtra, Punjab & Sind Bank, and Karnataka Bank for their immense contribution.

Awards were also given to Madhya Pradesh Gramin Bank, Madhyanchal Gramin Bank, Maharashtra Gramin Bank, and Baroda Rajasthan Kshetriya Gramin Bank.

Minister, Tomar highlighted the various government initiatives to strengthen villages and the agriculture sector for growth. He underscored the gap of infra in India and ways to fill it. Tomar said AIF will aim at improved agriculture, agri export, and private investment.