Central Government Scheme · Active – loan disbursal period through FY 2025-26, scheme operational till 2029-30 · Chennai

Agriculture Infrastructure
Fund (AIF)

AIF gives farmers, FPOs, and agri-entrepreneurs medium-to-long-term loans for post-harvest infrastructure like cold storage, warehouses, and processing units, with a 3% per annum interest subvention on loans up to ₹2 crore and collateral-free credit guarantee coverage. Apply now in Chennai with expert guidance from Varahii Consultancy.

Interest Subvention: 3% per annum, up to a loan of ₹2 crore
Subvention Duration: Up to 7 years (including moratorium)
Credit Guarantee: Up to ₹2 crore via CGTMSE (fee paid by government)
Total Fund Size: ₹1 lakh crore
Status: Active – loan disbursal period through FY 2025-26, scheme operational till 2029-30
City: Chennai
₹1 L Cr
Total Fund Size
3 %
Interest Subvention
₹2 Cr
Max Benefit-Eligible Loan
7 yrs
Max Subvention Duration

What is Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF)?

AIF gives farmers, FPOs, and agri-entrepreneurs medium-to-long-term loans for post-harvest infrastructure like cold storage, warehouses, and processing units, with a 3% per annum interest subvention on loans up to ₹2 crore and collateral-free credit guarantee coverage.

Approval for Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) in Chennai often depends on matching the right scheme variant to your exact profile. Our advisors in Chennai compare every applicable option before recommending one.

Objective: To mobilise investment in agricultural post-harvest infrastructure and viable farming assets, reducing food wastage and improving farmers' access to better markets and prices.

Who is this for in Chennai?

Individual farmers, FPOs, PACS, and marketing/multipurpose cooperative societies
Agricultural Produce Market Committees (APMCs/mandis)
Agri-entrepreneurs, start-ups, and Self-Help Groups (SHGs)
State Agencies and National/State Federations of Cooperatives, FPOs, or SHGs

Eligibility Criteria – Chennai

To apply for Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) Chennai, applicants must meet the following conditions:

Applicant Type: Farmers, FPOs, PACS, agri-entrepreneurs, start-ups, APMCs, state agencies, and cooperative federations
Project Viability: Must propose a viable post-harvest management infrastructure or community farming asset project with a Detailed Project Report
Borrower Contribution: Minimum 10% of total project cost (mandatory) up to ₹2 crore loans; 25% for loans above ₹2 crore
Project Limit: An individual/entity can register up to 25 projects in different locations, each eligible for up to ₹2 crore (no limit for state agencies and federations)
Not Eligible: Projects not classified as post-harvest management infrastructure or viable farming assets under scheme guidelines, More than 25 distinct project locations for non-federation/non-state-agency applicants

Who is NOT Eligible

Projects not classified as post-harvest management infrastructure or viable farming assets under scheme guidelines
More than 25 distinct project locations for non-federation/non-state-agency applicants

Benefits for Chennai Applicants

Eligible applicants Chennai can receive the following benefits under Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF):

BenefitDetails
Interest Subvention 3% per annum relief on the lending institution's interest rate, for loans up to ₹2 crore, for a maximum of 7 years (including moratorium)
Credit Guarantee Collateral-free coverage up to ₹2 crore under CGTMSE (or NABSanrakshan for FPOs), with the government paying the guarantee fee
Moratorium 6 months to 2 years moratorium period, with interest payable during this time
Scheme Convergence Can be combined with other Central/State capital subsidy or interest subvention schemes (e.g., PMEGP, PM-KUSUM, MIDH) for the same project
Eligible Infrastructure Warehouses, cold storage, silos, sorting/grading/packing units, ripening chambers, primary/secondary processing units, and community farming assets like tractors for FPOs/cooperatives

Documents Required

Keep the following documents ready before applying Chennai. Having them prepared speeds up approval significantly.

Aadhaar and mobile number for OTP-based portal login
Detailed Project Report (DPR)
Land/site documents for the proposed infrastructure
Bank account details
Registration certificate (for FPOs, cooperatives, SHGs)

Pro tip: Register on Udyam Portal before applying. It strengthens your application and may unlock additional MSME benefits.

How to Apply in Chennai

Follow these steps to apply for Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) Chennai:

From eligibility screening to final approval, our consultants in Chennai support Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) applicants at every stage — including liaising with the relevant department when an application stalls.

1

Register on the AIF portal

Visit agriinfra.dac.gov.in and register using your mobile number and Aadhaar to generate login credentials via OTP.

2

Fill the loan application

Complete the application form and upload your Detailed Project Report (DPR).

3

Choose your lending institution

Select your preferred bank/NBFC from those listed on the portal.

4

Central PMU verification

Your application is verified by the Central Project Management Unit at the Ministry before reaching the lender.

5

Bank appraisal and sanction

The lending institution appraises project viability and decides on loan sanction.

6

Subvention and guarantee fee processing

After loan disbursal, the government releases the interest subvention and CGTMSE guarantee fee to the lending institution based on their claim.

Online Portal: You can apply directly at https://agriinfra.dac.gov.in. Varahii's consultants can guide you through every step.

Coverage & Limits

ParameterDetails
Loan Cap For Benefits ₹2 crore per project (subvention and credit guarantee both capped here, even if the total loan is larger)
Repayment Tenure Maximum 7-10 years including moratorium (varies slightly by lending institution)
Implementation Period FY 2020-21 to FY 2029-30, with loan disbursal through FY 2025-26

Applying for Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) in Chennai

Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) is available to entrepreneurs and individuals across Chennai. Whether you are based in the urban core or surrounding areas of Chennai, you can approach any participating bank, NBFC, or Microfinance Institution to begin your application.

Varahii Consultancy has helped hundreds of applicants Chennai successfully complete their Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) applications — from document preparation to follow-up with the sanctioning authority.

Varahii in Chennai: Our local advisors understand the specific requirements of Chennai branches and can help you choose the right lender or government office for faster processing.

Industry & Entrepreneurship Landscape in Chennai

Chennai's small-business economy is shaped in large part by textiles, automobile components, electricals, and leather goods, sectors that account for a significant share of local MSME and entrepreneurial activity. Tamil Nadu ranks among the top states for MSME registrations, supported by the state's MSME Single Window System and strong export infrastructure.

Among individual entrepreneurs in Chennai, current trends show rapid growth among manufacturing-focused entrepreneurs, particularly in textile and auto-ancillary clusters. This shift is directly relevant to Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) applicants, since lenders and sanctioning authorities increasingly favour Udyam-registered, formally documented businesses when reviewing applications.

Banking & credit access in Chennai: Applicants typically work with Indian Bank, Indian Overseas Bank, Canara Bank, and a strong cooperative banking network when applying for government-linked schemes, alongside NBFCs and microfinance institutions for smaller ticket sizes.

Why Varahii Is Among the Best Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) Consultants in Chennai

Choosing the right consultant for Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) in Chennai can be the difference between a smooth approval and months of avoidable delay. Varahii Consultancy has built a reputation in Chennai and across India for handling government scheme and MSME loan applications end-to-end — not just advising, but actively preparing documentation, tracking application status, and following up with the relevant department or bank until a decision is reached.

Specialised, up-to-date knowledge of Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) eligibility and documentation requirements in Chennai
End-to-end application support — not just advice — from document prep to final follow-up
Familiarity with local banks, NBFCs, and government offices in Chennai
Transparent process with no hidden fees and a free initial eligibility check

Varahii in Chennai: If you're evaluating Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) options in Chennai, our consultants can give you a realistic eligibility assessment before you commit any paperwork — most consultations start with a free review of your specific situation.

Important Dates

MilestoneDate / Status
Scheme Launched 8 July 2020 (loans disbursed from this date eligible)
Expansion Approved 28 August 2024 (Union Cabinet expanded scope and inclusivity)

Contact & Support

ChannelDetails
Implementing Body Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, via Central PMU
Portal agriinfra.dac.gov.in

Frequently Asked Questions

3% per annum on loans up to ₹2 crore, available for a maximum of 7 years including the moratorium period.
Yes, AIF can be converged with other Central or State capital subsidy or interest subvention schemes for the same project, such as PMEGP, PM-KUSUM, or MIDH.
Warehouses, cold storage, silos, sorting/grading/packing units, ripening chambers, processing units, and community farming assets like tractors for FPOs and cooperatives.
For loans up to ₹2 crore, you can get collateral-free coverage under the CGTMSE (or NABSanrakshan for FPOs) credit guarantee scheme, with the government paying the guarantee fee.
A minimum of 10% of the total project cost for loans up to ₹2 crore, rising to 25% for loans above ₹2 crore.

Related topics: agri infrastructure cold storage loan warehouse subsidy AIF CGTMSE interest subvention Chennai

Ready to Apply for Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) in Chennai?

Varahii's verified consultants handle everything — eligibility check, document preparation, application filing, and follow-up with Chennai authorities. 100% free initial consultation.