Chandigarh, April 25:
Punjab Horticulture Minister Mohinder Bhagat has highlighted the growing impact of the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) scheme in improving farmers’ income and strengthening agricultural infrastructure across the state.
He said the initiative is playing a key role in making agriculture more profitable and sustainable, in line with the state government’s efforts under Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann.
The minister explained that the scheme supports the creation of post-harvest infrastructure such as cold storage facilities, warehouses, grading and sorting units, and processing centres. These facilities enable farmers to store and process their produce locally, helping them secure better prices while reducing post-harvest losses.
Bhagat noted that the scheme has become an important tool for strengthening the rural economy, particularly by supporting small and medium farmers and agri-entrepreneurs.
Providing data on progress, he said that as of March 31, 2026, around 34,265 projects have been approved in Punjab under the scheme. Financial institutions have sanctioned loans worth approximately ₹7,991 crore, out of which ₹7,496 crore has already been disbursed to beneficiaries.
The Punjab Horticulture Department is serving as the nodal agency for implementing the scheme in the state. The minister encouraged farmers to take advantage of the initiative by approaching their nearest horticulture offices for guidance and application support.
The Agriculture Infrastructure Fund, launched by the central government, aims to develop modern agricultural infrastructure, improve supply chains, and ultimately increase farmers’ income through better storage, processing, and market access.