AIF/SMART/MAGNET
The Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) is a government financing scheme that provides long-term loans with interest subsidies to farmers, agribusinesses, FPOs (Farmer Producer Organizations), and cooperatives. It aims to develop post-harvest infrastructure, such as cold storage, warehouses, food processing units, and supply chain facilities, reducing agricultural wastage and increasing farmers' income.
The SMART initiative is a World Bank-assisted project by the Maharashtra Government to modernize and strengthen agribusiness and rural value chains. It focuses on improving farmers' access to markets, technology, and financial resources, promoting sustainable agricultural practices, and enhancing rural livelihoods through infrastructure and policy reforms.
The MAGNET (Maharashtra Agribusiness Network) project is designed to boost agribusiness development in Maharashtra. It supports market-driven value chains, farmer producer companies (FPCs), and agro-based industries to improve farm productivity, enhance processing capabilities, and connect farmers with global and domestic markets. It also integrates digital technology to strengthen the agricultural supply chain.