Chandigarh, March 7:
The Punjab Government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann and the guidance of Horticulture Minister Mohinder Bhagat, is driving unprecedented growth in the horticulture sector. The Department of Horticulture, the nodal agency for AIF implementation in Punjab, organized a State-Level AIF Conclave at the Mahatma Gandhi State Institute of Public Administration (MGSIPA), Chandigarh, on Friday to review progress and felicitate top performers.
Mr.Mohinder Bhagat, Minister of Horticulture, Defence Services Welfare and Freedom Fighters, graced the event as the Chief Guest, while Mr. Mohammad Tayyab, Secretary, Horticulture & Soil and Water Conservation, was present as the Guest of Honour at the event.
The AIF Scheme, launched by the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Government of India, in July 2020, aims to develop post-harvest management infrastructure across agriculture and horticulture value chains. Punjab, as a leading state in the scheme’s implementation, has made significant strides in its execution.
Horticulture Minister Mr. Bhagat released an informative booklet on the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) Scheme during the event. Presiding over the State-Level AIF Conclave, the Minister said that Punjab has emerged as a leader in the utilization of AIF funds.
Interacting with media, the Ministe explained that Punjab has attracted investments worth over ₹8,000 crore through 21,740 sanctioned projects under the AIF Scheme. He explained that loans amounting to ₹5,161 crore have been sanctioned, and out of this amount, ₹4,580 crore has been disbursed by various lending institutions. Punjab now holds the top rank among 35 states and UTs in terms of the highest number of sanctioned projects under the scheme.
He added that Ludhiana, Bathinda, Fazilka, Sangrur and Patiala are among the leading districts in Punjab benefiting from the AIF scheme. The scheme has supported the establishment of cold storage units, processing centers, custom hiring centers, warehouses, sorting and grading units and solar panels on existing agricultural infrastructure. He said that 9 out of India’s top 10 districts in terms of AIF project approvals are from Punjab.
At the conclave, top-performing districts, banks, and officials were felicitated for their contributions to the scheme’s success. Mr. Bhagat honored districts excelling in project approvals, including Ludhiana (2,305), Bathinda (2,269), Fazilka (2,165), Sangrur (2,155), Patiala (2,088), Sri Muktsar Sahib (1,631), Ferozepur (1,104), Moga (1,067) and Mansa (1,021).
Mr. Bhagat acknowledged Union Bank of India, Central Bank of India, HDFC Bank, Punjab & Sind Bank, and Indian Overseas Bank for approving loans within 60 days. He specifically awarded the SBI for sanctioning ₹1,598.1 crore, which accounts for 31% of Punjab’s total under AIF, highlighting its role in the state’s leadership in implementation. The Minister stated that the Mann government is committed to transforming Punjab into ‘Rangla Punjab’. He emphasized that the government is continuously providing employment opportunities to the youth so that they do not have to look towards foreign countries solely in search of jobs.
Horticulture Secretary Mohammad Tayyab reaffirmed the government’s commitment to expanding horticulture and promoting sustainable farming. Horticulture Director Shailender Kaur assured continued efforts in agricultural diversification, while Rakesh Arora from the CPMU, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, lauded Punjab’s key role in national agricultural transformation.
The conclave was attended by key dignitaries, including Mr. Showkat Ahmad Parray, Deputy Commissioner, Bathinda, Sumant Kumar (SLBC), Mr. Rakesh Arora (CPMU), Ms. Ambika Jyoti (GM, NABARD), along with senior government officials, banking representatives, and private stakeholders.
