Here is the whole scheme in one place: what you get, who qualifies, how to apply, and what to check.
| Scheme | Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) |
|---|---|
| Ministry | Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Govt of India |
| Benefit | Collateral-free loans up to Rs 2 crore, with 3% annual interest subvention for up to 7 years |
| Who can apply | Farmers, FPOs, PACS, cooperatives, agri-entrepreneurs, startups and SHGs |
| How it is given | Bank loan, with the interest subsidy credited under the scheme |
| Apply at | agriinfra.dac.gov.in, through a bank, or via your district agriculture office |
| Cost to apply | Free |
Key points
- Loans up to Rs 2 crore, with no collateral needed.
- 3% annual interest subsidy on the first Rs 2 crore, for up to seven years.
- Covers warehouses, cold storage, pack houses, processing units and more.
- A Detailed Project Report and land papers are needed.
So what exactly does an applicant get?
Eligible applicants can get bank loans of up to Rs 2 crore without collateral.
The government gives a 3% annual interest subsidy on the loan, for a maximum of seven years.
The subsidy applies only on the first Rs 2 crore. If the sanctioned loan is larger, the extra amount has no subsidy.
Credit guarantee cover is also available for eligible loans. The repayment period is capped at seven years. Amounts and terms can change, so please confirm the current figures on the official site.
Who can apply, and who cannot?
Individual farmers can apply. So can Farmer Producer Companies, Primary Agricultural Credit Societies and other cooperative societies.
Agri-entrepreneurs, startups, Self-Help Groups and other institutions in the agriculture sector are also eligible.
The loan must go towards agriculture infrastructure. Storage, processing, value addition, logistics and marketing projects qualify.
Standalone secondary processing projects are not eligible. Integrated primary and secondary processing projects are.
Why was this scheme started, and what has changed?
The scheme was launched in 2020 under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative, with a corpus of Rs 1 lakh crore.
Its aim is to build farm infrastructure and raise farmers' incomes by cutting post-harvest losses.
In August 2024, the Cabinet expanded it. Community farming assets and integrated processing projects were added, and credit guarantee was extended to FPOs.
The Ministry says over 74,500 projects have been sanctioned so far.
What documents should you keep ready?
Keep a loan application form and a Detailed Project Report for your project.
Keep land ownership papers, including the 7/12 and 8-A extracts.
Keep your Udyam or MSME registration, PAN card and Aadhaar card.
Where applicable, keep audited balance sheets for the previous three years.
How do you apply online, step by step?
Visit agriinfra.dac.gov.in, the official Agriculture Infrastructure Fund portal.
Register, then fill in your details and the project information.
Upload your Detailed Project Report and the other documents listed above.
Submit the application. The bank then processes the loan, and the department helps coordinate with banks.
- 1Visit the official portalGo to agriinfra.dac.gov.in, the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund portal.
- 2Register on the portalThen fill in your details and the project information.
- 3Upload your documentsUpload your Detailed Project Report and the other documents listed above.
- 4Submit the applicationThe bank then processes the loan, and the department helps coordinate with banks.
Graphic: News Anek, from the facts in this report
Can you apply offline, and who can help?
Many applicants start at their bank branch, which can guide you through the loan process.
Your district agriculture office can also help. In Beed, for example, the agriculture department coordinates between banks and beneficiaries.
Ask at the office to confirm the current procedure before you travel.
How do you check progress, and what if it gets stuck?
Track your application on the portal using the details you were given at submission.
If the file is stuck, first check with your bank branch and your district agriculture office.
Keep copies of all documents and receipts, and note the reference number.
What should you watch out for?
Never pay an agent or middleman to get your loan sanctioned. Government processing is free.
Only use the official portal, agriinfra.dac.gov.in, or your bank. Ignore unknown links asking for money.
Check the official site for helpline details and the latest guidelines before applying.
Frequently asked questions
Can a single farmer apply for this loan?
Yes, individual farmers can apply. The loan must be for an eligible agriculture infrastructure project.
Is collateral needed?
No. Eligible loans up to Rs 2 crore are collateral-free, and credit guarantee cover is available.
For how long does the interest subsidy last?
The 3% annual interest subvention is available for up to seven years, on the first Rs 2 crore of the loan.
Is there a fee to apply?
No. Apply through the official portal or your bank, and do not pay any agent for approval.
Which documents are needed?
A loan application form, a Detailed Project Report, 7/12 and 8-A land extracts, Udyam or MSME registration, PAN, Aadhaar and audited balance sheets where applicable.
Official links
This guide is based on official scheme rules. Rules and amounts can change, so always confirm on the official website before you apply. News Anek is not a government website.
