On December 20th, 2024, the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) released a notification regarding the revised operational guidelines for the Agricultural Marketing Infrastructure (AMI) Sub-Scheme under the Integrated Scheme for Agricultural Marketing (ISAM). These updates come in response to the orders issued by the Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Government of India, on November 4th, 2024, and December 2nd, 2024.
Key Points from the Revised Guidelines:
- Applicability: The revised operational guidelines are applicable to projects that receive term loans sanctioned on or after November 10th, 2024.
- Important Changes: These updated guidelines bring modifications to the implementation and funding mechanisms under the AMI Sub-Scheme, which is designed to support the development of agricultural marketing infrastructure in India.
- Role of Banks and Financial Institutions: Banks and financial institutions have been advised to ensure that their controlling offices, District Central Cooperative Banks, and branches are informed about these revisions. This ensures proper compliance with the updated guidelines when processing loans for AMI projects.
Impact on Agricultural Marketing Infrastructure Projects:
The revised guidelines are expected to streamline the funding process and improve the implementation of infrastructure projects aimed at enhancing agricultural marketing across the country. This is a significant step in enhancing the efficiency of agricultural marketing, reducing post-harvest losses, and improving farmers’ access to markets.
The updates provide a more robust framework for supporting infrastructure development, which plays a key role in strengthening India’s agricultural supply chain and ensuring better price realization for farmers.
