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Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, unveiled two major initiatives aimed at revolutionising agricultural support mechanisms across India.
The first initiative, a collaborative effort between the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare (DA&FW) and NABARD, introduces a state-of-the-art web portal designed to automate and expedite the settlement process for interest subvention claims under the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF).
This portal marks a significant leap forward in facilitating quicker access to financial support for agricultural infrastructure projects, which have already mobilised investments totalling ₹72,000 crores (approximately US$ 9.6 billion), with ₹43,000 crores (approximately US$ 5.7 billion)sanctioned for 67,871 projects as of today.
Speaking at the launch event, Minister Chouhan emphasised the Modi government’s unwavering commitment to increasing farmers’ income through transformative measures. The Agriculture Infrastructure Fund, initially endowed with ₹1 lakh crore (approximately USD 13.3 billion), aims to enhance crop storage capacity and minimise losses for farmers nationwide.
Minister Chouhan highlighted that the newly implemented automated credit claims system will drastically reduce processing times from months to a single day, ensuring transparency and mitigating potential avenues for malpractice.
The web portal will not only streamline the calculation of eligible interest subvention but also eliminate human errors inherent in manual processing. It will serve as a vital tool for banks, the Central Project Management Unit (CPMU) of DA&FW, and NABARD, optimising the disbursement of accurate interest subvention and facilitating financial support for farmers and agricultural entrepreneurs. This automation is expected to catalyse further development in the agricultural sector by encouraging more initiatives under the AIF.
In addition to the web portal, “Krishi Katha”, a dedicated blog site was inaugurated and is envisioned as a digital platform amplifying the voices of Indian farmers. “Krishi Katha” aims to showcase and celebrate the diverse narratives of resilience, innovation, and success within India’s agricultural community. The blog site fills a crucial gap by spotlighting the untold stories behind each crop and harvest, providing a forum for farmers to share their experiences, insights, and achievements.
The launch of “Krishi Katha” signifies a significant step towards recognising the pivotal role of farmers in India’s agricultural landscape. The platform will foster awareness, facilitate knowledge exchange, promote collaboration, and empower farmers across the country. He expressed confidence that “Krishi Katha” will inspire pride in farming as a profession and encourage resilience among farmers facing various challenges.
Since its inception in 2020, the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund has been instrumental in supporting post-harvest management infrastructure, enhancing value realisation for farmers, fostering agricultural innovation, and attracting substantial investments. The scheme provides beneficiaries with a 3% interest subvention on loans up to ₹2 crore for a maximum of seven years, along with reimbursement of credit guarantee fees paid by banks, thereby incentivising agricultural infrastructure development.
Through various initiatives, India aims to establish an equitable digital economy where every citizen, including those in rural areas, can harness the transformative potential of technology and digital services.
OpenGov Asia reported on an MoU between CSC SPV and the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmer’s Welfare to convert Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) into Common Services Centers (CSCs), thereby enhancing rural access to e-services in governance, finance, education, and agriculture. This initiative utilises CSCs’ widespread network to bridge the digital divide, fostering economic growth and empowering rural communities through enhanced service delivery and digital empowerment.
Minister Chouhan reaffirmed the government’s dedication to supporting farmers with innovative solutions and technology, aiming to transform India’s agricultural sector. The launch of the web portal and “Krishi Katha” demonstrates a comprehensive approach to empowering farmers, promoting sustainable practices, and ensuring inclusive growth in rural India, setting new standards in agricultural support.
