IDFC FIRST Bank and Agriculture Infrastructure Fund Scheme

The Agriculture Infrastructure Fund Scheme enables farmers, agri-entrepreneurs, and farming collectives to build post-harvest infrastructure and community farming assets across India. IDFC FIRST Bank is a participating lending institution under this Central Sector Scheme.

What is the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) scheme?

The Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) is a medium-to-long-term debt financing facility launched by the Government of India. Operated by the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (DA&FW), the Agri Infra Fund scheme aims to provide a financing facility of ₹1 lakh crore through banks and financial institutions till 2025-26, with interest subvention and credit guarantee support extending until 2032–33. The scheme finances viable projects for post-harvest management infrastructure and community farming assets, aiming to reduce post-harvest losses and improve value realisation at the farm-gate and aggregation level.

What are the key benefits and AIF scheme subsidies with IDFC FIRST Bank?

IDFC FIRST Bank, as an empanelled scheduled commercial bank, facilitates access to the following AIF scheme subsidy:

Which are the projects eligible under the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) scheme?

Eligible projects under the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund scheme fall under two broad categories:

Warehouses and silos

Packaging units, cold chain infrastructure, and logistic facilities (including reefer vans and refrigerated containers)

Sorting, grading, and assaying units

Ripening chambers and waxing plants

Primary processing centres: dal mills, atta chakkis, oilseed expellers, paddy parboiling and milling units

Supply chain services, including e-marketing platforms integrated with e-NAM

Supply chain infrastructure for clusters of crops, including export clusters (hub and spoke model)

PPP projects promoted by Central, State, or Local Government agencies

Agri Inputs & Bio Products: Organic inputs (vermicompost), bio-stimulants

Smart Farming: Drones, IoT, AI, GIS, weather tech, advisory & blockchain

Controlled Farming: Polyhouse, hydroponics, vertical farming, mushroom

Planting Material: Nursery, tissue culture, seed processing

Mechanization: CHCs, tractors, harvest automation

Allied Activities: Sericulture, honey, spirulina

Storage & Logistics: Logistics infra, insulated transport, quarantine units

Renewable & PPP Projects: Solar (PM-KUSUM) & govt-led infra projects

Note: Standalone secondary processing infrastructure is not eligible. Solarisation of any eligible infrastructure can also be financed under AIF. Digital connectivity and optical fibre infrastructure are eligible as integral components of approved projects.

How to apply for the AIF scheme?

All applications are processed entirely online. The agriinfra.dac.gov.in registration process is as follows:

Frequently Asked Questions

All

What is the maximum loan limit for collateral-free financing under the AIF scheme?

Credit guarantee coverage under CGTMSE is available for loans up to ₹2 crore, with the government bearing the guarantee fee. The interest subvention and credit guarantee apply only to the portion up to ₹2 crore per project, regardless of total loan size.

What is the interest subvention available under the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund?

A 3% per annum interest subvention is available on loans up to ₹2 crore for a maximum of 7 years. Borrowers should confirm the applicable rate with their lending institution at the time of appraisal.

Is there any moratorium period for the AIF loan repayment?

Yes, a principal repayment moratorium of 6 months to 2 years applies from the date of first disbursement, with interest payable during this period. The duration is determined by the bank based on the project's cash flow.

Can I combine AIF scheme benefits with other government subsidies?

Yes, the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) can be combined with Central and State Government schemes like PMKSY, PMFME, MIDH, SMAM, PM-KUSUM (Components A, B, C), and others, subject to eligibility under each and a minimum 10% of the project cost is mandatory as promoter’s contribution.

What is the maximum interest rate charged under the AIF scheme?

Loans are capped at a maximum interest rate of 9% per annum. After applying the 3% subvention on the eligible amount (up to ₹2 crore), the effective borrowing cost is reduced accordingly for the subvention period.

Which farming and post-harvest projects are eligible for the Agri Infra Fund Scheme?

Post-harvest infrastructure: warehouses, cold stores, pack-houses, sorting and grading units, ripening chambers, primary processing centres, e-marketing platforms, and agri-logistics, etc.

Viable farming assets: custom hiring centres, precision-agriculture infrastructure, organic input production, hydroponics, vertical farming, and seed or nursery infrastructure, etc.

PPP projects for farming assets or post-harvest management promoted by Government agencies

Standalone secondary processing units are not eligible under the Agri Infrastructure Fund scheme.

How can you apply and complete your agriinfra.dac.gov.in registration?

Visit agriinfra.dac.gov.in and click 'Registration' under the 'Beneficiary' tab
Enter your name, mobile number, and Aadhaar number; verify via OTP to generate your Beneficiary ID
Download the DPR template from 'Resources' > 'DPR Samples and Templates'; fill it in the prescribed format
Log in, complete your loan application form, and select the preferred empanelled lender
Upload the completed DPR and submit the application
The Central PMU reviews the application and forwards it to the bank for appraisal and sanction

Disclaimer: All scheme parameters are as per the operational guidelines issued by the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India. Scheme benefits are subject to eligibility criteria, bank appraisal, and applicable government guidelines at the time of application. This page is for informational purposes only.

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Agriculture Infrastructure Fund Scheme

IDFC FIRST Bank and Agriculture Infrastructure Fund Scheme

What is the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) scheme?

What are the key benefits and AIF scheme subsidies with IDFC FIRST Bank?

Interest subvention

Credit guarantee

Capped interest rate

Moratorium on repayment

Loan tenure

Convergence with other schemes

Per-entity project limit

Which are the projects eligible under the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) scheme?

How to apply for the AIF scheme?

Visit the official portal

Register as a beneficiary

Download and fill the DPR

Complete the loan application

Upload the DPR and submit

Central PMU review

Bank appraisal and sanction

Disbursement

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the maximum loan limit for collateral-free financing under the AIF scheme?

What is the interest subvention available under the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund?

Is there any moratorium period for the AIF loan repayment?

Can I combine AIF scheme benefits with other government subsidies?

What is the maximum interest rate charged under the AIF scheme?

Which farming and post-harvest projects are eligible for the Agri Infra Fund Scheme?

How can you apply and complete your agriinfra.dac.gov.in registration?

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