KRISHI KATHA PLATFORM (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Agriculture)

Context: Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare launched a web portal aimed at expediting bank settlements for interest subsidy claims under the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF).

Krishi Katha Platform

• About: It amplifies the experiences, insights, and success stories of Indian farmers.

oIt aims to provide a dedicated space for comprehensive and immersive storytelling, highlighting the narratives of India's agricultural community.

• Objectives:

oRaise awareness about farmers' issues.

oFacilitate knowledge exchange among farmers.

oFoster collaboration within the agricultural sector.

oEmpower farmers by highlighting their achievements.

Agriculture Infrastructure Fund Scheme

• Launch Year: The Agriculture Infrastructure Fund Scheme was launched in 2020 to bolster agricultural infrastructure in India.
• Objectives: It focuses on developing post-harvest management infrastructure to reduce losses, increase farmers' income, promote agricultural innovation, and attract investments in agriculture.
• Financial Outlay: The scheme has a total outlay of ₹1 lakh crore, with funding facilitated through banks and financial institutions until 2025-26.
• Interest Subvention and Support: Beneficiaries can avail a 3% interest subvention on loans up to ₹2 crore, provided by banks for a maximum period of 7 years. Additionally, banks receive reimbursement for credit guarantee fees paid.