The Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) is primarily meant to promote which of the following sectors?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D
Explanation
The correct answer is option 4 i.e. Development of agri-logistics and cold storage facilities.
The Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) is primarily meant for the development of agri-logistics and cold storage facilities. Launched in 2020, AIF provides medium-long term financing for post-harvest management infrastructure like warehouses, cold chains, primary processing units, and supply-chain facilities. This initiative strengthens farmers’ access to markets, reduces wastage of perishables, and improves income by enabling value addition. The fund targets FPOs, PACS, startups, and agri-entrepreneurs.
The other options are not correct:
- Expansion of rural banking services falls under financial-inclusion schemes like PMJDY, not AIF.
- Promotion of renewable energy projects is handled through schemes like PM-KUSUM.
- Construction of national highways is carried out under the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, not through an agriculture-focused fund.