Sri Vijaya Puram, November 12: Farmers, cooperatives and agri-enterprises in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands can seek bank loans with a three per cent annual interest subsidy to develop warehouses, cold-chain facilities, processing units and other agricultural infrastructure under the Centre’s Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF).
The Directorate of Agriculture has invited eligible beneficiaries to submit project proposals under the Central Sector Scheme, which provides medium- and long-term debt financing for viable projects involving post-harvest management infrastructure and community farming assets.
The scheme offers a three per cent annual interest subvention on eligible loans of up to Rs. 2 crore for a maximum period of seven years, subject to its guidelines. Banks and other eligible financial institutions will provide the loans to approved beneficiaries.
Eligible applicants include individual farmers, Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), Self Help Groups (SHGs), Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS), cooperative societies, agri-entrepreneurs, start-ups and other beneficiaries covered by the scheme.
The fund covers two broad categories of infrastructure projects. Under post-harvest management, applicants can seek financing for supply-chain services, including e-marketing platforms, warehouses, pack houses, assaying, sorting and grading units, cold-chain and logistics facilities, primary processing centres and ripening chambers.
The second category covers community farming assets. Eligible projects include units for producing organic inputs and bio-stimulants, infrastructure for smart and precision agriculture, and other community farming assets permitted under the scheme guidelines.
The initiative seeks to address infrastructure requirements across the agricultural supply chain, from handling produce after harvest to processing and market access. Its financing provisions are intended to support projects that can reduce post-harvest losses, improve agricultural productivity and enable value addition in the Islands.
The Directorate has asked prospective applicants to identify financially viable projects and prepare proposals outlining the proposed activity, project location, estimated cost and other information required by the lending institution for appraisal. The financing institution will assess the proposal before extending credit under the scheme.
Applicants seeking clarification or assistance with project preparation and submission can approach the Zonal Officer in their respective area. They can also contact the Kisan Call Centre at the Directorate of Agriculture in Sri Vijaya Puram at 03192-243434.
The invitation brings a range of agricultural infrastructure investments within reach of eligible farmers’ groups, cooperatives and private agri-enterprises in the Islands, provided their proposals meet the scheme’s requirements and secure approval from the financing institutions.
