The role of infrastructure is crucial for agriculture development, especially at the post-harvest stage so that the produce can be optimally utilized with opportunities for value addition and a fair deal for the farmers.
Development of such infrastructure shall also address the vagaries of nature, the regional disparities, the development of human resources, and the realization of the full potential of our limited land resources.
In view of the above, the finance minister announced on May 15, 2020, 1 lakh crore Agri Infrastructure Fund for farm-gate infrastructure for farmers.
A financing facility of Rs. 1,00,000 crores will be provided for funding Agriculture Infrastructure Projects at farm-gate and aggregation points (Primary Agricultural Cooperative Societies, Farmers Producer Organizations, Agriculture entrepreneurs, Start-ups, etc.).
The impetus for the development of farm gate and aggregation point, affordable and financially viable Post Harvest Management infrastructure.
Accordingly, the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has formulated the Central Sector Scheme to mobilize a medium - long-term debt financing facility for investment in viable projects relating to postharvest management Infrastructure and community farming assets through incentives and financial support.
