Himanta Sarma announces enhanced financial support for agri-entrepreneurs

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced enhanced support for agri-entrepreneurs and FPOs, allowing eligible beneficiaries to combine low-interest Agriculture Infrastructure Fund loans with PMFME scheme incentives, including interest subvention and capital subsidies for food processing and infrastructure projects

Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday announced enhanced financial support for agri-entrepreneurs and Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) through the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF), with benefits that can now be combined with incentives available under the Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) scheme.

In a post on X, Sarma said the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund provides low-interest loans of up to Rs 2 crore to agri-entrepreneurs and FPOs, aimed at strengthening agricultural infrastructure and supporting food processing activities.

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The Chief Minister highlighted that beneficiaries who have already availed themselves of loans under the AIF can also access additional assistance under the PMFME scheme.

“More support for food processing enterprises,” Sarma said while outlining the combined benefits available to eligible enterprises.

Under the AIF, beneficiaries can avail themselves of a three per cent interest subvention, reducing the effective cost of borrowing for eligible agricultural infrastructure projects.

At the same time, the PMFME scheme provides a capital subsidy of 35 per cent for eligible food processing enterprises. For individual enterprises, the subsidy can go up to Rs 10 lakh, while assistance of up to Rs 3 crore is available for common infrastructure, according to details shared by the Chief Minister.

The convergence of the two schemes is expected to provide greater financial support to enterprises involved in food processing and allied agricultural activities, enabling them to invest in infrastructure, expand operations and improve value addition.

The Agriculture Infrastructure Fund aims to support investments in post-harvest infrastructure and community farming assets, while the PMFME scheme focuses on upgrading and formalising micro food processing enterprises.

The move to allow eligible beneficiaries to combine incentives under the two schemes could help reduce financing costs and improve access to capital for entrepreneurs and FPOs seeking to establish or expand food processing and agricultural infrastructure.

Sarma’s announcement comes as the government continues to promote agricultural entrepreneurship, food processing and value addition as avenues for strengthening rural economies and creating sustainable livelihood opportunities.