Assam disburses over ₹1,100 crore under Agriculture Infrastructure Fund: CM Sarma
Synopsis
Assam has crossed ₹1,100 crore in Agriculture Infrastructure Fund disbursements, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced after meeting Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan in New Delhi — a significant milestone for a scheme that targets post-harvest infrastructure and rural agri-investment across the state.
Key Takeaways
Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma announced more than ₹1,100 crore disbursed under the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) scheme.
The update was shared after a meeting with Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan in New Delhi .
The AIF was launched by the Central government in 2020 to finance post-harvest management and community farming assets.
Beneficiaries include farmers, FPOs , cooperatives, agri-startups, self-help groups, and entrepreneurs.
Assam expects further expansion of AIF-supported projects in rural and agrarian districts in the coming months.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday announced that the state has disbursed more than ₹1,100 crore under the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) scheme to farmers and agri-entrepreneurs across Assam. The update came after Sarma met Union Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan in New Delhi, where AIF implementation emerged as a central topic of discussion.
What Sarma Said
Sharing the development on social media platform X, the Chief Minister said the state continues to make rapid progress in expanding the reach of the flagship central scheme. 'Following my meeting with Shri Shivraj ji, where AIF was a key takeaway of our discussion, I'm happy to share that we continue to make rapid progress in implementing the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund and expanding its reach. More than Rs 1,100 crore has been disbursed till now,' Sarma stated.
About the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund
The Agriculture Infrastructure Fund was launched by the Central government in 2020 as a medium- to long-term debt financing facility aimed at strengthening post-harvest management infrastructure and community farming assets. Eligible projects include warehouses, cold storage units, grading and packaging facilities, primary processing centres, supply chain infrastructure, and smart agriculture projects.
The scheme is open to farmers, Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), cooperatives, agri-startups, self-help groups, and entrepreneurs seeking affordable credit for agricultural infrastructure development.
Impact on Assam's Agriculture Sector
Assam has been actively pursuing agricultural modernisation and value-addition in recent years, with the state government encouraging the creation of storage, processing, and marketing facilities to boost farmers' incomes and reduce post-harvest losses. Officials indicated that the AIF disbursements have helped unlock investment in rural agri-infrastructure at scale.
Notably, the Chief Minister's engagement with Chouhan is also seen as part of sustained efforts to strengthen Centre-state coordination on farmer welfare, rural infrastructure, and agricultural development programmes.
What Comes Next
The state government expects further expansion of AIF-backed projects in the coming months, with a focus on rural and agrarian districts across Assam. The pace of disbursements, if maintained, could position Assam among the leading states in AIF utilisation under the Central scheme.
Point of View
100 crore AIF disbursement figure is notable, but the more important question is what it has built on the ground. Post-harvest losses remain a structural drag on farmer incomes across northeastern states, and the AIF's cold-chain and warehousing components are precisely the infrastructure that can change that calculus. Whether the disbursements are translating into operational assets — rather than stalled or underutilised projects — will determine the scheme's real impact. The Centre-state meeting signals political alignment, but implementation accountability at the district level is where the story will ultimately be told.
NationPress
23 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF)?
The Agriculture Infrastructure Fund is a Central government scheme launched in 2020 to provide medium- to long-term debt financing for post-harvest management infrastructure and community farming assets. It supports projects such as warehouses, cold storage units, grading facilities, and smart agriculture initiatives.
How much has Assam disbursed under the AIF scheme?
Assam has disbursed more than ₹1,100 crore under the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund as of June 2025, according to Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. The announcement was made after his meeting with Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan in New Delhi.
Who can benefit from the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund?
The AIF is open to farmers, Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), cooperatives, agri-startups, self-help groups, and agri-entrepreneurs. It provides affordable credit for building agricultural infrastructure such as storage, processing, and supply chain facilities.
Why did CM Sarma meet Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan?
The meeting in New Delhi focused on agricultural development and farmer welfare, with the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund emerging as a key discussion point. It is part of ongoing efforts to strengthen coordination between the Centre and Assam on rural infrastructure programmes.
What are the next steps for AIF implementation in Assam?
The Assam government expects further expansion of AIF-supported projects in the coming months, with a particular focus on rural and agrarian districts. Officials said the pace of disbursements is expected to continue rising.
