Parliament Question: Implementation of Agriculture Infrastructure Fund in Punjab

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE RAJYA SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.151 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 13/02/2026 IMPLEMENTATION OF AGRICULTURE INFRASTRUCTURE FUND IN PUNJAB * 151. DR. VIKRAMJIT SINGH SAHNEY:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE be pleased to state:

(a) the total allocation and releases made to Punjab under the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) since 2022;

(b) the number and nature of projects approved in Punjab under the scheme;

(c) whether Punjab’s requirements have been assessed in view of its major contribution to the nation's food security;

(d) the measures taken to facilitate greater access to AIF for farmer cooperatives, Farmer Producer Organisations(FPOs) and agri-entrepreneurs in Punjab; and

(e) whether any additional or special support is proposed for Punjab under the scheme? ANSWER MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE (SHRI SHIVRAJ SINGH CHOUHAN)

(a) to (e): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.STATEMENT IN RESPECT OF PARTS (a) TO (e) OF THE RAJYA SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 151 FOR 13/02/2026 REGARDING IMPLEMENTATION OF AGRICULTURE INFRASTRUCTURE FUND IN PUNJAB.

(a) & (b): Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) is a demand-driven, Central Sector scheme with uniform operational guidelines applicable across all States, including Punjab. As on 09.02.2026, ₹7425.99 Crores have been sanctioned for 32014 projects under AIF scheme to Punjab. The details of number and nature of projects Sanctioned in Punjab under AIF Scheme are at Annexure.

(c): Punjab’s requirement under AIF on the basis of the ratio of total value of output of Agriculture and allied sector was assessed at ₹4713 Crores and later on the basis of performance raised to ₹9050 Crores.

(d) & (e): AIF scheme provides targeted facilitation to eligible beneficiaries including farmer cooperatives, Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), Primary Agricultural Credit Societies

(PACS) and agri-entrepreneurs through measures such as eligibility for multiple projects, interest subvention of 3 % per annum on loans up to ₹2 crore, credit guarantee coverage for eligible projects, and simplified online application processes through a single-window digital portal. Further, capacity-building programmes, awareness campaigns, and hand-holding support are undertaken by the State Nodal Department and implementing agencies to enhance participation of cooperatives and FPOs in Punjab. Allocation to Punjab stands enhanced to ₹9050 Crores on date.Annexure Number and nature of Projects in Punjab as on 9th February 2026 S. N. Project Type No. of Projects 1 Aeroponic Farming 8 2 Bio stimulant production units 7 3 Cold Stores and Cold Chain 282 4 Composite Project 15 5 Custom Hiring Centre 17,521 6 Farm/Harvest Automation 3,384 7 Hydroponic Farming 1 8 Infrastructure for smart and precision agriculture 428 9 Integrated Primary and Secondary Processing Unit 44 10 Logistics Facility 22 11 Mushroom Farming 21 12 Organic inputs production 22 13 Others 5,768 14 Packaging units 12 15 PHM Activities 417 16 PM KUSUM Component A 1 17 PM-KUSUM Com-B and Com-C 891 18 Poly House/ Greenhouse 29 19 PPP projects promoted by Central or their agencies 4 20 PPP projects promoted by State. or their agencies 1 21 Primary processing Center 2,062 22 Ripening Chambers 7 23 Silos 7 24 Sorting & Grading Unit 880 25 Supply chain infrastructure for clusters of crops 4 26 Supply chain infrastructure for export clusters of crops 1 27 Warehouse 167 28 Waxing Plants 8 Total 32014 *****