(a) whether the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) also helps in community farming assets and infrastructure, if so, the details of farmer societies in the country, State-wise;
(b) the amount that has been sanctioned to them so far, State-wise;
(c) whether the Government has formulated any training programme for farmers to protect their yield in case of delay in purchase by Government agency; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
???? ?? ????? ?????? ?????? (SHRI NARENDRA SINGH TOMAR)
(a): Yes, Sir. Agriculture Infrastructure Fund aims at providing a medium-long term debt financing facility till 2025-2026 through 3% interest subvention and credit guarantee support on loans for creation of post-harvest management infrastructure and community farming assets. Community farming assets eligible under Agri Infra Fund includes: (i) Organic inputs production (ii) Bio stimulant production units (iii) Infrastructure for smart and precision agriculture. (iv) Projects identified for providing supply chain infrastructure for clusters of crops including export clusters. (v) Projects promoted by Central/State/Local Governments or their agencies under PPP for building community farming assets or post-harvest management projects. In addition to the aforementioned community farming assets, farmer communities such as PACS, FPOs SHGs, JLGs, Multipurpose Co-op societies, Marketing Co-op societies and their federations are also eligible to get the benefit under Agri Infra Fund for creation of following post-harvest management infrastructures: (i) Supply chain services including e-marketing platforms (ii) Warehouses (iii)Silos (iv)Pack houses (v) Assaying units (vi)Sorting &grading units (vii) Cold chains (viii) Logistics facilities (ix)Primary processing centres (x) Ripening Chambers.
(b): The number and amounts of loan sanctioned under AIF to farmers societies, State-wise, have been placed at Annexure-1.
(c)& (d): A Centrally Sponsored Scheme ‘Support to State Extension Programs for Extension Reforms” popularly known as ATMA Scheme is under implementation since 2005. Presently, Scheme is being implemented in 691 districts of 28 states & 5 UTs in the country. The scheme promotes decentralized farmer-friendly extension system in the country. The objectives of the Scheme is to support State Government’s efforts and to make available latest agricultural technologies and good agricultural practices in different thematic areas of agriculture and allied areas to farmers including training program for farmers to protect their yield through different extension activities viz; Farmers Training, Demonstrations, Exposure Visits, Kisan Mela, Mobilization of Farmers Groups and organizing Farm Schools etc.