AIF Excellence Awards aims to encourage banks to elevate their performance, thereby contributing to the overall success of the AIF scheme. Representatives from the states and banks will participate in the ceremony
New Delhi: The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Government of India, launched the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) scheme in 2020 to create post-harvest management infrastructure and community farming assets. To promote the AIF scheme, the Agriculture Ministry conducts special campaigns and presents Excellence Awards to recognise and reward the efforts of various banks and states for their outstanding achievements. These awards celebrate collective accomplishments, promote excellence, and inspire future performance under the AIF scheme, the Agriculture Ministry informed on Saturday.
On September 3rd, 2024, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan will present the AIF Excellence Awards to the top-performing banks and states in various categories during the launch of the Krishi Nivesh portal. This award ceremony aims to encourage other banks to elevate their performance, thereby contributing to the overall success of the AIF scheme. Representatives from various states and banks will actively participate in the ceremony, further highlighting the importance of collaboration and commitment to agricultural growth.
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Recently, the Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the progressive expansion of the Central Sector Scheme for financing under the ‘Agriculture Infrastructure Fund’ (AIF). This expansion aims to make the scheme more attractive, impactful, and inclusive for all stakeholders in the agriculture sector.
Since its launch in 2020, the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund has actively supported the creation of 6,623 warehouses, 688 cold stores, and 21 silos, adding nearly 500 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) of storage capacity across the country. This includes 465 LMT of dry storage and 35 LMT of cold storage. This expanded capacity saves 18.6 LMT of food grains and 3.44 LMT of horticulture produce every year. To date, Rs. 47,575 crores have been sanctioned for 74,508 projects under the AIF, which has mobilized an investment of Rs. 78,596 crores in the agriculture sector, with Rs. 78,433 crores contributed by private entities. Moreover, these infrastructure projects have generated over 8.19 lakh rural employment opportunities, further boosting the agriculture sector.
