Page 20 - NIS English 1-15 Feb, 2026

Strengthening
Agricultural Infrastructure

Expanding Network of
Krishi Vigyan Kendras

n These centers, operated by the Indian Council of
Agricultural Research, are at forefront of farmer training.

Agricultural Infrastructure Fund n Between 2021-22 and 2023-24, KVKs trained 58.02
₹1 lakh crore Agricultural Infrastructure n The courses offered by Krishi Vigyan Kendras
lakh farmers, while over 19 lakh farmers were trained
in 2024-25.
Fund was launched to improve agricultural
infrastructure. This scheme provides financial
assistance up to ₹2 crore at a 3% interest rate.
It also provides credit guarantee coverage. include advanced agricultural science, livestock care,
soil health, post-harvest technologies, etc., tailored to
n As of October 30, 2025, ₹75,140 crore has been local conditions.
sanctioned under the Agricultural Infrastructure Fund
for 1,34,372 projects. This will attract an investment AI-Based Forecasting
of ₹1.20 lakh crore in the agricultural sector.

World’s Largest Grain Storage Scheme
n The Union Cabinet approved the world's largest grain
storage scheme in the cooperative sector on May 31,
2023. Under the pilot project, the construction of
warehouses has been completed in 11 PACS (Primary
Agricultural Credit Societies) across 11 states.
PACS have been
More identified for
than
500 the scheme.
Construction has
started for 108, of crore farmers received AI-
which 24 have been 3.8 based monsoon forecasts in
completed. The 5 regional languages last year
target is to complete through the m-Kisan portal,
all construction by under this unique initiative.
December 2026.

to India’s 100th year of independence), and agricul- work together. Announced on February 1, 2019, it
ture has been a crucial sector in these reforms. The was implemented retrospectively from December
interim budget of February 1, 2019, ushered in a new 1, 2018, with the first installment of Rs. 2000 directly
chapter in the era of empowering the agricultural transferred to the farmers’ bank accounts.
sector and farmers. This was marked by the revolu- This became the largest scheme for farmers since
tionary announcement of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan India’s independence. In the interest of all farmers,
Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme, a crucial initiative countless reforms have been implemented, from
to empower farmers financially and protect them seed to market. As a result, in the last 11 years, India’s
from the clutches of moneylenders during times of agricultural exports have almost doubled. Food
need. This scheme is an excellent example of how grain production has increased by nearly 900 lakh
the central government’s policy, intent, and decisions metric tons, and fruit and vegetable production has

18 NEW INDIA SAMACHAR || February 1-15, 2026