TRAI issues amended 'Rating Manual 2026' for assessment of Digital Connectivity (See 'Corp Brief') Zojila Tunnel to establish All-Weather Connectivity Between J&K and Ladakh (See 'Corp Brief') IPR - Foreign FRAND rate-setting action filed by implementer may be treated as relevant material at pro tem stage in assessing prima facie essentiality / need for licensing: HC (See 'Legal Desk') Ministry of MSME Promoting Inclusive Entrepreneurship through National SC-ST Hub Scheme (See 'Corp Brief') GeM Boosts MSE Inclusion: Registered Units Rise to 11.9 Lakh (See 'Corp Brief') Strong, transparent and modern cooperative institutions will energise rural economy: Bhutani (See 'Corp Brief') Trade Marks - CALPOL & CALPOL FAST medicines granted status of well-known trademark as material demonstrates strong consumer association of mark with Plaintiff & its distinctiveness in pharma sector: HC (See 'Legal Desk') SAIL sharpens strategic priorities for FY27, reinforces market position (See 'Corp Brief') Railways sanctions upgradation of Electric Traction System on Bengaluru-Tumkur Section (See 'Corp Brief') IBC - Once resolution plan was approved by CoC, successful resolution applicant is bound by it and cannot seek to evade implementation by raising objections to LoI stipulations that are inherent in process: SC (See 'Legal Desk') Railways sanctions upgradation of Electric Traction System on Mahbubnagar-Secunderabad Section (See 'Corp Brief') Capital Market - Finding of 'fraud' under SEBI PFUTP Regulations, 2003, cannot be sustained, if Securities Appellate Tribunal had committed 'egregious error' in affirming SEBI's conclusions on manipulation & fraudulent intent: SC (See 'Legal Desk') MoS inaugurates Self-ticketing Kiosks at National Zoological Park (See 'Corp Brief') Ministry of Panchayati Raj to organise outreach workshop on Atmanirbhar Panchayat Program (See 'Corp Brief') Mandaviya leads nationwide World Bicycle Day celebrations with actor Vikrant Massey (See 'Corp Brief') IPR - Nature of enquiry u/s 57, being one for cancellation or rectification of register, is founded upon appreciation of statutory parameters such as distinctiveness, prior use and likelihood of confusion: HC (See 'Legal Desk') MoS inaugurates Daycare Facility for Children of MSDE Employees at Kaushal Bhawan (See 'Corp Brief') National Biodiversity Authority Celebrates World Environment Day 2026 (See 'Corp Brief') AI-enabled Sayuj App & Open Challenge Program 1.0 launched to strengthen Startup Ecosystem: MoS (See 'Corp Brief') Over 6,000 youth from across country to celebrate innovation & leadership (See 'Corp Brief') IBC - Land leased by statutory authority cannot be excluded from Corporate Debtor's assets on ground that development rights were transferred without consent: NCLT (See 'Legal Desk') IBC's Primacy Over the Electricity Act and the Extinguishment of Pre-CIRP Claims (See CORP EINSICHT)

Working group formed to explore innovative banking products for AVCF

Published: Jun 28, 2024

By TIOLCorplaws News Service

NEW DELHI, JUNE 28, 2024: DEPARTMENT of Agriculture and Farmer's Welfare (DA&FW) organized a workshop titled "Unleashing India's Agribusiness potential through Innovative Agri Value Chain Financing" on 27th June 2024 in New Delhi. The event brought together senior officials of the Government of India and the State Government, experts, and stakeholders to discuss the dynamics of agricultural financing.

Reflecting on the importance of Agriculture Finance in the value chain, Manoj Ahuja, Secretary DA&FW, underscored the pressing need to transition from a production-centric approach to a demand-driven one. "To develop Agricultural Value Chains (AVCs) more holistically and integrate them with global markets, we must shift our focus from merely addressing supply shortages to meeting market demands," he stated. Ahuja emphasized the importance of implementing accountable and digital systems for effective AVC development and highlighted the need for a comprehensive policy framework to ensure financial inclusivity for all stakeholders.

Ahuja further advocated introducing financial instruments like bill discounting, bridge financing, and risk-hedging to improve liquidity and economic stability. "Creating an enabling environment with simplified application processes and reduced bureaucratic hurdles is crucial for effectively implementing these instruments," he added.

Dr. Vivek Joshi, Secretary Department of Financial Sservices, emphasized the critical role of Digital Financial Services in providing timely credit within the Agricultural Value Chain Financing (AVCF) framework, noting a significant increase in agricultural credit availability. "Our focus is on ensuring seamless and affordable access to credit to support farmers throughout the value chain," he stated. He highlighted the significant role of NBFCs, fintech, and startups in providing last-mile credit access and specialized financial products, particularly in high-value agricultural markets.

The workshop focused on creating awareness, facilitating collaboration, exploring solutions, and empowering participants with innovative agricultural finance solutions. The workshop saw robust participation from academia, industry, financing agencies, facilitating agencies, and various government departments. It served as a crucial platform for collaboration and partnership-building, paving the way for transformative initiatives in India's agricultural sector. It included high-level strategic discussions featuring notable speakers such as Prof. Ashok Gulati, a Distinguished Professor at ICRIER, who highlighted the importance of transitioning to a demand-driven approach in agriculture to improve farmer incomes, the need to focus on the nutrition aspect in the food chain and develop climate resilience in agriculture.

While welcoming the participants, Ajeet Kumar Sahu, Joint Secretary (Credit), DA&FW, set the context at the beginning by highlighting the need for a holistic approach to Agricultural Value Chain Financing (AVCF), noting that projections indicate agricultural Gross Value Added (GVA) will reach Rs 105 lakh crore by 2030, making value chain financing increasingly vital.

Chairman NABARD, K.V. Shaji, emphasized the urgent need to improve farmers' finance access and ensure reliable data availability for SHGs and FPOs, as the data is critical for the banks to make informed decisions and offer effective value chain financing. He advocated for the development of public infrastructure in rural areas, including facilities for processing, branding, and marketing agricultural products. He also emphasized the need to strengthen the governance structure of cooperatives in rural areas. He said these will lead to integrated value chain financings.

Insurance and CEO of PMFBY, Ritesh Chauhan, gave a presentation on fostering financial resilience in agriculture through the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) scheme. Chauhan highlighted the government's holistic approach to Agri-Value Chain Financing, emphasizing the need for comprehensive risk protection and financial support throughout the agricultural value chain. He underscored the importance of leveraging technology through platforms like SARTHI, AIDE, Kisan Rin Portal, and AGRISTACK to streamline credit availability and enhance agricultural resilience.

Panel discussions covered various aspects of agri value chain financing, including cluster-based approaches, innovative financing mechanisms, and integrating Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) into value chains. Experts from diverse backgrounds shared insights and experiences, enriching the discourse.

TIOL CORP SEARCH

TIOL GROUP WEBSITES