By C.S. Anitha
The central government has envisioned a one lakh crore Agriculture Infrastructure Fund for agricultural infrastructure development. This scheme is helpful for entrepreneurs, cooperative societies, agricultural marketing committees, and startups to establish infrastructure for agriculture-related ventures. Loans under the scheme are available in sectors like cultivation, harvesting, storage, and marketing, covering the project period from 2020-21 to 2025-26.
From low-cost vegetable kits to interest-rebated infrastructure loans, there is a wide range of government-backed programs that farmers, farmer groups, startups, and cooperatives can tap into right now.
Along with receiving loans from financial institutions with interest rebates, there is also approval for providing a subsidy of ₹2,520 crore rupees (Kerala). Key loan features include:
- ✅ 3% interest rebate for loans up to ₹2 crore
- ✅ Government provides a credit guarantee for loans up to ₹2 crore
- ✅ Project term: 2 years
- ✅ Benefits available for loans with a repayment period of up to 7 years, including for individuals
Number of Projects: Each beneficiary can start 25 projects in different locations. A maximum financial assistance of ₹2 crore will be available for one location. The 25 projects are those that a promoter can start at the state level. At the state level, there is no limit on the amount for government agencies, startups, federations, and FPOs.
🌐 Institutions Providing Loans: Commercial banks, cooperative banks, regional rural banks, NBFCs, NCDC, and central banks. Apply through the official online portal run in cooperation with the central government.
🔗 Apply here: https://agriinfra.dac.gov.in/
Select the ‘Beneficiary’ option, enter your mobile number, and register using the OTP. Use your Applicant ID and Password to submit the DPR and other information. The AIF team will verify the application and provide further information. Banks are also directly accepting applications. For the credit guarantee fund, register with CGTMSE; loans will be disbursed as per the guarantee. Loan disbursement at each stage must be uploaded to the online portal.
A wide range of applicants can become members of the scheme and apply for a loan. Eligible applicants include:
Farmers & Farmer Groups (FPOs, JLGs, SHGs)
Startups & Agricultural Entrepreneurs
Cooperative Institutions & Marketing Co-operative Societies
Multi-purpose & Primary Agricultural Co-operative Societies
National Federations of Co-operatives
Other Eligible Cooperative & Producer Groups
📞 Contact Numbers by District:
- 📍 Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Kottayam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha: 6235277042
- 📍 Thrissur, Ernakulam: 9048843776
- 📍 Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram: 8921785327
- 📍 Kozhikode, Wayanad: 8547565214
- 📍 Kannur, Kasaragod: 7601118539
- 🏢 State Headquarters: 8921540233 / 9020060507
Kitchen garden kits and vegetable seedlings prepared at the Tavanur Regional Agricultural Research Station under the Agricultural University have been brought to the outlet under the Krishi Bhavan. Vegetable kits containing quality seeds, seedlings, organic manure, and organic pesticides will be distributed.
- 🌱 Seedlings are provided in polythene bags at a rate of ₹2 per seedling
- 🎁 Seedlings of beans, okra, and green chili will be available for free
Ventures with low investment can be started using the Kisan Credit Card. This simple loan facility makes it easy for farmers to raise animals and build small agri-businesses.
Loans up to ₹3 lakh available
No repayments up to ₹1,60,000 for one year
Can raise cows, goats, and chickens
Available at all veterinary hospitals
⭐ Priority is given to those who have received training. For more information, contact the Krishi Bhavan, Ksheera Bhavan (Dairy Development Department), or the Animal Husbandry Department.
Beneficiaries are selected through online applications and financial assistance is provided for new projects. Contact the officials at the Krishi Bhavan for details.
In the first phase, financial assistance is provided for two schemes covering:
- 🥦 Vegetables, Bananas, Tuber Crops
- 🌶️ Spices & Leafy Vegetables containing Vitamin A
In the first phase, assistance will be given to those who cultivate on 25–50 cents of land. Financial assistance of up to ₹35,000 per cent will be provided.
A 3-day training in agricultural mechanization is being provided at the Vellayani College of Agricultural Engineering. Training sessions are scheduled on the 11–13, 14–16, and 19–21 of this month.
- 📞 Contact: 0471-2481763 (10 am – 5 pm)
- 👥 Who Can Participate: Farmers, farmer collectives, FPO members, SHG members, and youth
Subsidies ranging from 40% to 60% of the price are available for agricultural machinery, equipment, and machines required for post-harvest processing activities.
- ✅ Individual beneficiaries will get 40% to 60% subsidy
- ✅ Farmers, collectives, FPOs, individuals, and panchayat-level farmer collectives will be given assistance of ₹8 lakh to start custom hiring centers
- 🌐 Apply at: http://agrimachinery.nic.in/index
🐟 Dried Fish Preservation Technology
Dried fish can be dried using an industrial dryer and stored without spoilage for 5 to 7 days. To buy a digital fish dryer as part of the ‘Food Security through Subhiksha Development’ scheme, call: 9403691704.
🌱 Wayanad Seed Festival
A seed festival was held on the 1st and 2nd of this month at the Wayanad Agricultural Research Station as part of the State-level Indigenous Seed Conservation Workshop (MSSRF). There was an exhibition and distribution of indigenous seed varieties.
