Rural finance has emerged as a key driver in transforming India’s agrarian landscape in recent years. Among these, agri-infra loans, also known as agriculture infrastructure loans, have catalysed the creation of vital rural assets—warehouses, cold chains, and processing facilities—that empower farmers to enhance their incomes, reduce post-harvest losses, and modernise their businesses. These funds complement existing agricultural finance tools, such as agri-business loans, farm infrastructure finance, and traditional agri loans in India.
Why agri‑infra loans?
Traditional farmer credit often supports input costs—seeds, fertilisers or irrigation—through short‑term products like the Kisan Credit Card, which held ₹9.81 lakh crore outstanding across 7.75 crore accounts as of March 2024, as per the Press Information Bureau. But what about long‑term assets? Enter agri loans for warehouse financing, cold storage loans, and farm asset creation schemes that underpin supply-chain resilience and income optimisation.
Agricultural Infrastructure Fund (AIF): A game‑changer agri loans!
Launched in August 2020, the AIF is a ₹1 lakh crore initiative offering medium- to long-term debt with:
- 3% interest subvention on loans up to ₹2 crore for 7 years,
- Credit guarantee via CGTMSE for up to ₹2 crore,
- Tenure up to 7 years, with moratoriums ranging from 6 months to 2 years.
By January 2025, AIF had sanctioned ₹51,364 crore across 84,159 projects—including warehouses, cold storages, processing & grading units. These interventions align tightly with rural infrastructure finance and rural development funding, boosting livelihoods beyond raw production.
“On an average, this Agriculture infrastructure fund initiative has enabled farmers to get 11- 14% higher prices for their produce.” – Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmer’s Welfare
NABARD’s role in farm asset creation
The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) acts as a key conduit, providing refinance support via its Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF) and new AMI sub-schemes. In FY 2024–25, NABARD extended a record ₹5,830 crore to Jharkhand alone, financing irrigation, bridges, rural godowns, and cold storage—benefiting over 2 lakh farmers, according to The Economic Times. NABARD also 2024–25 channelled ₹24,500 crore through RIDF, with ₹19,500 crore disbursed.
Additionally, it supports schemes like Gramin Bhandaran Yojana, offering subsidies for rural godown construction up to 30,000 tonnes. These are critical to rural asset creation, enabling cold chain loans and warehouse financing to reach marginal farmers and FPOs.
State-level initiatives: Cold storage & e-Marketing
State governments are also stepping up. In Uttar Pradesh, the state is deploying ₹5,000 crore in agri-infra loans with a 3% interest subsidy to promote cold storage, pack-houses, warehouses, and e-marketing under the Agri Infrastructure Fund and the Self-Reliant Integrated Development Scheme (The Times of India).
Agriwise for agri loans
Agriwise Finserv, a leading NBFC company, is delivering customised agri finance solutions that support rural infrastructure development. Through its seamless digital lending platform, Agriwise provides quick and collateral-backed agri business loans, warehouse financing, and farm infrastructure finance tailored to the evolving needs of farmers, FPOs, and agri-entrepreneurs.
By simplifying access to formal credit loans and partnering with banks, NBFCs, and government schemes, Agriwise bridges the rural credit gap, fostering long-term asset creation. With a focus on transparency, speed, and financial literacy, Agriwise is driving sustainable growth and unlocking the true potential of India’s agricultural sector.
Opportunities: Farmers, FPOs & Agri Entrepreneurs
Agri‑Infra Loans are designed for:
- Individual farmers seeking cold storage or warehousing,
- FPOs/FPCs building processing and marketing units,
- Agri‑startups, SHGs, cooperatives, and rural MSMEs.
Such entities can tap into NABARD AIF, state bank schemes (e.g., SBI’s cold storage loan of up to ₹50 crore, with 10–11% interest over 10 years), CGTMSE guarantees, and central subsidies. Moreover, new initiatives like NABARD’s e-Kisan Credit Card portal streamline the application and disbursement process.
Challenges & the road ahead
Awareness remains a hurdle; many farmers still lack clarity on government schemes for farmers. Under‑financing is also a concern—banks are urged to offer adequate credit for rehabilitation and plans. With agri‐credit projected to surpass ₹32 lakh crore by FY 2025‑26, a 14% increase from FY 2024‑25, accessible infrastructure loans will be key to sustainable rural transformation, as per The Times of India.
Conclusion
Agri loans—underpinned by AIF, NABARD, CGTMSE, agritech, and state-level pushes—are opening new frontiers in rural development funding and asset-based agri finance. Whether you’re a small farmer building a cold storage unit, an FPO creating a grading centre, or an agri-entrepreneur setting up a warehouse, these tools offer affordable, backed credit to scale up, de-risk your operations, and get the most from the land. For those ready to embrace agriculture infrastructure loans, now is a fertile moment.
