Agriculture Infrastructure Fund | To the Point | Drishti IAS English

Summary

This video discusses the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF), launched in 2020 to enhance post-harvest infrastructure, reduce losses, and improve market access for farmers. The AIF provides debt financing and credit guarantees to develop storage, logistics, and farming infrastructure, boosting farmer incomes. Key government initiatives like the Integrated Cold Chain Food Processing Scheme, Capital Investment Subsidy for Cold Storage, and Pradhan Mantri Matsi Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) further support the agricultural sector. The video also explains post-harvest management practices aimed at preserving crop quality and extending shelf life. A practice question on government initiatives follows the content.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) was launched in 2020-21 to improve post-harvest infrastructure and farmer incomes.
• 😀 Over 1.13 lakh agricultural projects have been funded under AIF, focusing on enhancing infrastructure and productivity.
• 😀 AIF provides debt financing with interest subsidies and credit guarantees for projects in storage, logistics, and farming infrastructure.
• 😀 AIF helps farmers store their produce efficiently, reduce dependence on intermediaries, and sell at better prices.
• 😀 Key initiatives supporting AIF include the Integrated Cold Chain Food Processing and Preservation Infrastructure Scheme.
• 😀 The Capital Investment Subsidy for Cold Storage provides subsidies for constructing and modernizing cold storage for horticultural produce.
• 😀 Agricultural Marketing Infrastructure (AMI) strengthens marketing infrastructure to improve rural farmers' access to markets.
• 😀 The Pradhan Mantri Matsi Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) focuses on fish production, post-harvest infrastructure, and job creation in the fisheries sector.
• 😀 Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) aims to provide seamless digital access to farmers, enhancing efficiency and transparency.
• 😀 Post-harvest management includes activities such as cleaning, sorting, grading, packaging, storage, and transportation to preserve crop quality and extend shelf life.

Q & A

What is the primary goal of the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF)?

The primary goal of the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) is to enhance post-harvest and farm-gate infrastructure, boosting productivity, reducing losses, and improving market access for farmers.

How many agri projects have been funded under the AIF?

Over 1.13 lakh agri projects have been funded under the AIF.

What type of projects are financed under the AIF?

The AIF finances viable projects in storage, logistics, and farming infrastructure, including warehouses, cold storage, and grading units.

What are the benefits of the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) for farmers?

The AIF helps farmers store produce efficiently, sell at better prices, reduce reliance on intermediaries, and ultimately increase their income.

What is the Integrated Cold Chain Food Processing and Preservation Infrastructure Scheme focused on?

The Integrated Cold Chain Food Processing and Preservation Infrastructure Scheme focuses on reducing post-harvest losses and ensuring fair prices for farmers.

What kind of support does the Capital Investment Subsidy for Cold Storage provide?

The Capital Investment Subsidy for Cold Storage provides subsidies for constructing, expanding, and modernizing cold storage facilities for horticultural produce.

What is the aim of the Agricultural Marketing Infrastructure (AMI) initiative?

The AMI initiative strengthens marketing infrastructure, promoting better access to markets for rural farmers.

What is the focus of the Pradhan Mantri Matsi Sampada Yojana (PMMSY)?

The Pradhan Mantri Matsi Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) focuses on fish production, post-harvest infrastructure, and job creation across the fisheries value chain.

What does Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) aim to do for farmers?

Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) aims to provide seamless digital access to farmers, enhancing efficiency and transparency across the agricultural value chain.

What is the definition of post-harvest management?

Post-harvest management refers to activities and techniques used to preserve and protect crops after harvesting, such as cleaning, sorting, grading, packaging, storage, and transportation.