Agricultural Marketing Infrastructure

Agricultural Marketing Infrastructure (AMI) is a sub-scheme of the Integrated Scheme for Agricultural Marketing (ISAM) implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. It offers a back-ended capital subsidy to farmers, agri-preneurs, cooperatives, FPOs and state agencies for building warehouses, godowns, cold storages and primary processing units. The subsidy comes through a credit-linked route, so the project must be financed by a bank loan.

As of August 2026, the scheme has been kept in abeyance since 10 June 2025. The Ministry informed that the allocated budget under the AMI sub-scheme was fully used up, so no new sanctions are being made until fresh funds are released. Pending claims are also kept on hold. This update matters for anyone planning to apply, since new applications are not being accepted right now.

Agricultural Marketing Infrastructure - Introduction

AMI works as a demand-driven, credit-linked, back-ended subsidy scheme. It focuses on the whole post-harvest chain, from storage and grading to processing and marketing. The aim is to cut post-harvest losses, stop distress sales and raise the price farmers get for their produce. The scheme merged two older schemes, Grameen Bhandaran Yojana and the scheme for development and strengthening of agricultural marketing infrastructure, grading and standardisation, into one single framework.

Eligible projects include rural and semi-urban godowns, warehouses, cold storages, silos, market yards, rural haats, cleaning and grading units, drying yards and weighbridges. Mobile infrastructure such as reefer vans is also covered. The subsidy rate is 25% for the general category and 33.33% for projects in hilly and North-Eastern areas, women, SC/ST promoters and FPOs.

Benefits

AMI was designed to give several clear advantages to farmers and promoters:

• It helps farmers get better prices by opening alternative marketing channels beyond the traditional mandis.
• It reduces losses during handling, storage and post-harvest stages by supporting scientific storage.
• It encourages small processing and grading units near the farm, so produce can be sold in a processed form.
• It supports pledge financing and improves direct market access for farmers.

Eligibility

The scheme kept an open and inclusive approach. Individual farmers, agri-preneurs, FPOs, cooperative societies, state agencies, NGOs, SHGs and private companies could all apply. The only condition was that the project should create or upgrade agricultural marketing infrastructure and be financed through an institutional term loan. Self-financed projects without bank credit were not eligible.

Application Process

When the scheme was accepting new claims, the application went through a financial institution. The steps are given below so that promoters understand how the process worked.

STEP 1 - Apply for a term loan at a preferred financial institution (bank).

STEP 2 - Get the term loan sanctioned by the bank.

STEP 3 - The financial institution applies for the advance subsidy within 90 days after the first installment is disbursed, through the ENSURE portal of NABARD.

STEP 4 - NABARD reviews and releases the advance subsidy to the financial institution.

STEP 5 - After project completion, the financial institution submits the final subsidy claim to NABARD and requests a Joint Monitoring Inspection (JMI).

STEP 6 - NABARD conducts the JMI and uploads geo-tagged photographs to the ENSURE portal to verify the project.

STEP 7 - NABARD releases the final subsidy amount to the financial institution.

Note that since the scheme is in abeyance, the ENSURE portal has been temporarily disabled for new AMI claims. New applications are not being processed until fresh budget is allocated.

Documents

Promoters were asked to keep these documents ready when applying:

• Forwarding letter from the financing branch's nodal office.
• Advance subsidy claim application in Annexure-V.
• A detailed project report with total cost, loan details and the bank's technical appraisal report.
• Approved maps, civil drawings and dimension specifications for the structure.
• Loan sanction letter, invoices for machinery and the term loan account statement.
• Land ownership documents for the project site.
• A certificate from the financial institution about the promoter's category, especially for SC/ST or cooperative status.
• A notarized affidavit on non-judicial stamp paper as per Annexure XV.
• Partnership deeds or incorporation certificates for firms and companies.

References

Official Agricultural Marketing Infrastructure scheme page

NABARD circular on suspension of AMI sub-scheme

FAQ's

Is the Agricultural Marketing Infrastructure scheme still running?

As of August 2026, the scheme is kept in abeyance since 10 June 2025. The budget was fully used up, so no new sanctions are being made until fresh funds are released.

How much subsidy is given under Agricultural Marketing Infrastructure?

The general category gets 25% and special categories such as women, SC/ST, FPOs and projects in hilly and North-Eastern areas get 33.33%.

Is there a higher subsidy for women?

Yes, women promoters are eligible for a 33.33% subsidy.

Is cold storage permitted?

Yes, cold storage facilities can be built under the scheme.

Are transport vehicles allowed?

Standard vehicles are not allowed, but the subsidy can be used for reefer vans.

Can I apply now for the scheme?

New applications are not being accepted right now because the scheme is in abeyance. Fresh claims will start only after a new budget is allocated.

Can projects be built anywhere?

Yes, though storage projects should be located outside municipal corporation areas.

Can I use my own funds for the whole project?

No, the scheme is credit-linked and requires a bank loan to trigger the subsidy.

What is the minimum promoter contribution?

Promoters should contribute at least 20% of the project cost.

Are FPOs eligible?

Yes, Farmer Producer Organizations are fully eligible.