Chandigarh-Punjab Horticulture Minister S. Chetan Singh Jauramajra, on Tuesday, stated that the state has witnessed exceptional progress in Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) throughout the month of July. He stated that the AIF scheme has been instrumental in fostering the entrepreneurial spirit of Punjab, resulting in important progress within the state’s agricultural infrastructure.
Divulging additional particulars, the Cabinet Minister stated that until the month of July, a complete of 8411 purposes have been obtained from everywhere in the state, reflecting the sturdy curiosity and enthusiasm among the many agricultural group to take a position for organising varied agri-based tasks. The cumulative value of those tasks stands at a powerful Rs.4579 crores, which demonstrates the dedication of Punjab’s farmers to enhancing the agricultural panorama.
He stated that Department of Horticulture, which serves because the State Nodal Agency for the AIF scheme has performed a significant position in facilitating this progress by offering assist and steering to the candidates.
He stated that the beneficiaries have utilized for mortgage quantity of Rs.2481 crores out of which Rs.1395 crores have been sanctioned to profit 4745 eligible tasks until now. This monetary help will undoubtedly empower farmers and entrepreneurs to strengthen their agricultural initiatives and increase general productiveness, stated the Minister, whereas including that Rs.980 crores have already been disbursed.
S. Chetan Singh Jauramajra reiterated that Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Mann led state authorities is dedicated to making sure the prosperity and progress of the agricultural group in Punjab and the promotion of AIF scheme continues to be a testomony to the federal government’s imaginative and prescient of driving sustainable agricultural growth and empowering farmers to thrive.
He knowledgeable that Punjab has additionally carried out nicely throughout the first quarter of this monetary 12 months beneath the AIF scheme, recording a rise of 117 p.c as in comparison with the corresponding interval of the earlier 12 months. In the earlier monetary 12 months, the division obtained 3480 purposes, whereas until the present 12 months’s first monetary quarter, complete 7547 purposes have been obtained. The funding quantity of those purposes was Rs.4038.08 crores, marking a 40.36 p.c enhance in comparison with the earlier 12 months’s Rs.2876.98 crores. He stated that Rs.1113.46 crores was sanctioned for 3837 eligible tasks up until June 30.
The Cabinet Minister stated that the division is conducting particular marketing campaign to create consciousness in regards to the scheme within the state, significantly within the border districts, aiming to attach extra farmer teams to the AIF scheme and promote group farming.
Farmers can arrange varied agriculture-related tasks beneath AIF
Horticulture Minister S. Chetan Singh Jauramajra knowledgeable that beneficiaries can make the most of this scheme for varied tasks, together with storage buildings, sorting, grading, waxing models, major processing facilities (flour mills, oil mills, daal mills), ripening chambers, packhouses, crop residue administration models/machines, photo voltaic pumps, biogas vegetation, sensible and precision agriculture, farm and harvest automation, enter manufacturing (seeds/tissue tradition/nursery/fertilizers), provide chain infrastructure, honey processing, sericulture, and different agricultural actions. Some tasks are restricted to farmer teams, reminiscent of polyhouse/greenhouse, vertical farming, hydroponics/aeroponics, mushroom cultivation, logistics amenities and tractors and many others. Apart from this, beneficiaries may also set up photo voltaic panels on eligible tasks. A minimal 10 p.c contribution from the beneficiary is obligatory to avail a mortgage beneath this scheme, he added.
S. Jauramajra stated that the scheme gives 3 p.c curiosity help for loans as much as Rs.2 crores with the rate of interest capped at 9 p.c. This help may be availed for as much as 7 years. Under AIF Scheme, the credit score assure payment can also be reimbursed. Each beneficiary is eligible to set as much as 25 tasks, he talked about.