In order to strengthen the infrastructure in APMCs, they have been recognized as one of the eligible entities under Agriculture Infrastructure Fund. Under the AIF,APMCs are eligible for multiple projects (of different infrastructure types) within their designated market area.

Further, Government of India has launched National Agriculture Market (e-NAM) Scheme on 14th April, 2016 with the objective of creating online transparent competitive bidding system to facilitate farmers with remunerative prices for their produce.Under the e-NAM Scheme, Government is providing free software and assistance of Rs. 75.00 Lakh per mandi for related hardware including quality assaying equipments and creation of infrastructure like cleaning, grading, sorting, packaging and compost unit etc. So far, 1000 mandis of 18 States and 3 UTs have been integrated with e-NAM platform.

Central Sector Scheme of financing facility under Agriculture Infrastructure Fund’ was launched by Hon’ble Prime Minister of India on 9^th August 2020.

The scheme provides following support for creation of post-harvest management infrastructure and community farming assets;

Interest Subvention: All loans under this financing facility have interest subvention of 3% per annum up to a limit of Rs. 2 crores. This subvention is available for a maximum period of 7 years. APMCs are eligible for multiple projects (of different infrastructure types) within their designated market area. In such cases, interest subvention for a loan up to Rs. 2 crores will be provided for each project of different infrastructure types e.g. cold storage, sorting, grading and assaying units, silos, etc. within the designated market area of the APMC.

This information was given in a written reply by the Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Shri Narendra Singh Tomar in Lok Sabha.

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APS

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