Agriculture Infrastructure Fund: Improving post-harvest logistics, enhancing farmer income

October 15, 2024 3 Views No Comment

Morung Express News
Dimapur | October 15

India’s annual foodgrain (rice, wheat, maize etcetera) production is said to be around 330 million tons. In the horticulture sector, the annual production is tipped at around 350 million tons.

This, however, is without accounting for post-harvest losses, which is said to be 8-10 percent for foodgrains and 30-35 percent for horticultural crops. It translates to around 100 million tons of harvests going to waste in the horticultural crops alone, higher than all the other countries in the sub-continent combined.

“We are producing a huge quantity but can we afford to waste so much as a country is a question before us,” said the Joint Secretary of the Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Samuel Praveen Kumar, who addressed a workshop on the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF), organised by the state Agriculture Department at the Agri Expo, Chümoukedima, on October 14.

And that is the reason why the Atmanirbhar Bharat programme “laid a lot of emphasis on post-harvest infrastructure management,” he said.

The AIF, launched as part of the Atmanirbhar Bharat programme, aims to improve infrastructure in the rural sector. According to Kumar the AIF’s key objectives include minimising post-harvest losses and promoting technology adoption, particularly in areas like micro-irrigation, cold chain logistics, and digital innovations.

He stressed the importance of adopting innovative farming practices, promoting technology adoption and strengthening post-harvest infrastructure to enhance productivity and reduce costs. This will ultimately lead to enhanced farmer income and a more profitable agricultural sector, he said.

Kumar also highlighted the fund’s recent expansion to include integrated projects, allowing for simultaneous primary and secondary processing of agricultural products, implying value chain-oriented approaches.

He urged stakeholders, including farmers, agripreneurs and FPOs to leverage the AIF’s potential, especially women entrepreneurs. He noted the fund’s current 22 percent participation by women, with a target for further growth. He also stressed the importance of collaboration between stakeholders, government agencies, and bankers for successful project implementation.

While urging the participants to identify potential projects and set targets for increasing AIF adoption in Nagaland, Kumar expressed his commitment to providing continued support, including regular visits and reviews to ensure the fund’s impact on the ground.