The Government of India is accelerating efforts to modernise agriculture through infrastructure investments exceeding Rs 1 lakh crore under the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF), Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development Shivraj Singh Chouhan told the Rajya Sabha.
Responding to questions from Members of Parliament, the Minister said the focus is shifting from viewing farmers only as food producers to recognising them as central contributors to the country’s socio-economic growth. He added that flagship initiatives such as AIF, enhanced Minimum Support Price (MSP), the Self-Reliance in Pulses Mission and the PM-KUSUM renewable energy scheme are beginning to deliver measurable benefits on the ground.
According to the Minister, investments in modern storage, processing facilities and farm mechanisation have helped reduce post-harvest losses by up to 15 per cent, enabling farmers to realise better prices for their produce. These infrastructure upgrades are also improving access to markets and strengthening rural supply chains.
Under the AIF programme, tens of thousands of assets—including custom hiring centres, primary processing units, farm automation tools, warehouses, cold storages and sorting facilities—have been created across the country. In Punjab alone, projects worth more than Rs 11,351 crore have been approved, surpassing the initial target of Rs 7,425 crore.
On the pulses front, Chouhan said the government will ensure 100 per cent procurement of key crops such as tur (pigeon pea), masoor (lentil) and urad (black gram). State agencies and procurement bodies have been authorised to conduct timely purchases and provide direct benefit transfers to farmers. He noted that pulses output has increased significantly, helping India move away from import dependence.
The Minister also underlined the government’s push for crop diversification and scientific crop residue management. Incentives for mechanisation, cluster-based farming and improved seed quality are being promoted to support balanced growth and long-term sustainability in the agriculture sector.