New Delhi: The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare launched a one-month campaign for banks under Agri Infra Fund titled BHARAT (Banks Heralding Accelerated Rural and Agriculture Transformation) with a target of Rs 7200 crore. The campaign will be starting from 15 th July 2023 to 15 th August 2023.
The launch was attended by more than 100 Banking Executives that included MDs/Chairman, EDs of commercial Banks in public and private sector, Regional Rural Banks, Small Finance Banks, NBFCs, and select cooperative Banks through Video Conference.
While addressing the gathering, Shri Samuel Praveen Kumar, Joint Secretary (AIF) highlighted the progress made since the inception of this ambitious flagship Scheme. Complimenting the banks for their active involvement, he said that this scheme has resulted in creation of more than 31,850 agri infra projects in the country with ₹24750 crore as loan amount under AIF with an outlay of ₹ 42,000 crores with the support of banks.
The Secretary of MoA&FW commended the top-performing banks in various categories, including State Bank of India, Canara Bank, Punjab National Bank, HDFC, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Madhya Pradesh Gramin Bank, Madhyanchal Gramin Bank, and Punjab Gramin Bank, for their commendable efforts in advancing this scheme.
The Secretary also urged all banks to strive towards achieving their targets, given the immense potential for agricultural infrastructure projects in our country.
Furthermore, the banks were advised to conduct a thorough evaluation of the on-ground impact of the projects implemented under the scheme.
