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DIMAPUR — To minimise post-harvest losses and promote technology while improving infrastructure for farmers, a workshop on the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) was held on Monday at Agri Expo, Chümoukedima.
The AIF scheme became operational in the country in 2020-21 and will continue until 2032-33, with loan disbursement under the scheme set to be completed within six years, by the end of FY 2025-26.
It was reported that a total of INR 230 crore has been allocated to Nagaland under the AIF scheme.
Speaking during the workshop inaugural session, Samuel Praveen Kumar, joint secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, explained that AIF is a flagship scheme that was brought under the Atmanirbhar Bharat package by the prime minister, who wanted to see that the infrastructure landscape of this country in the rural sector is improved.
He noted that India produces about 330 million tonnes of food grains, such as rice, wheat, and maize, but post-harvest losses for these commodities are around 8 to 10%. In the case of horticulture crops, with about 350 million tonnes produced, losses are even higher, ranging from 30 to 35%.
As a result, the scheme was initiated with a strong emphasis on post-harvest infrastructure management, which is considered crucial for agricultural infrastructure.
He emphasised that the adoption of technology among farmers is very low, and the scheme aims to promote and improve the infrastructure available to them.
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He mentioned that minimising losses would enhance income levels, highlighting that proper infrastructure will help reduce losses and add value to products. He also emphasised the importance of a value chain approach.
He further stressed that through the scheme, they aim to ensure farmers can take the maximum quantity of their produce to the market, lamenting that currently, only 60–70% reaches the market, resulting in losses for the farmers.
He informed the farmers that unless they enhance the shelf life of their produce and take it to market to achieve better value, their farm income will remain low. He reiterated the importance of infrastructure in this regard.
He requested the department to identify the potential on a district-wise basis, pinpoint projects, and set targets for the agriculture officials involved in agricultural business management, emphasising that only then will results begin to emerge.
Kumar further stressed how the AIF scheme can transform the agricultural landscape of the country through infrastructure strengthening, technology adoption, and supporting farmers in achieving more profitable farming. He added that profit from farming cannot be realised unless costs are reduced and farmers are helped to increase their income.
He also highlighted the importance of women farmers, stating the need for greater female participation in the farming sector to enhance income and contribute to the growth of agricultural produce. He mentioned that there are currently no projects for women in the state, but he hopes that Nagaland can promote women farmers in the future.
The workshop was organised by the Department of Agriculture with Wezope Kenye, Agricultural Production Commissioner of Nagaland, delivering the welcome address.