Maharashtra will soon launch a public-private partnership scheme for developing infrastructure in the agriculture sector, where facilities like cold storage and pack houses will be constructed and grading machinery and artificial ripening equipment would be bought for farmers. The Agribusiness Infrastructure Development Investment Programme (AIDIP) will have funding from the Asian Development Bank and the government. The AIDIP was designed almost five years ago. It has reached implementation stage this year as the Asian Development Bank has started disbursement of funds recently. As per the scheme, private players would invest 60% of the total cost, whilethe remaining 40% will be contributed by the ADB and the state in the ratio of 80:20.
Milind Akare, deputy project director of AIDIP said, “This programme is aimed at addressing three main constraints to agriculture growth —outdated technologies,lack of public investment in basic infrastructure and limited diversification in high value horticultural crops. To overcome these constraints, integrated value chain (IVC) model will come up in Nashik and Aurangabad districts first. Pune would be included in the second phase.”
Market experts say that private investment would encourage professional practices and strict quality norms in the agriculture sector. The facilities such as grading and pack houses will reduce wastage due to handling,increase shelf life of the produce and provide better value for money to customers.
“The total project cost would be around Rs150 crore.The cost of Nashik and Aurangabad IVCs is estimated to be Rs 102.45 crore. The state government will soon issue advertisements inviting private bidders. It will offer land for infrastructure development available with local wholesale markets. The construction work should be started by the end of this calendar year,” Akare said.
Milind Akare, deputy project director of AIDIP said, “This programme is aimed at addressing three main constraints to agriculture growth —outdated technologies,lack of public investment in basic infrastructure and limited diversification in high value horticultural crops. To overcome these constraints, integrated value chain (IVC) model will come up in Nashik and Aurangabad districts first. Pune would be included in the second phase.”
Market experts say that private investment would encourage professional practices and strict quality norms in the agriculture sector. The facilities such as grading and pack houses will reduce wastage due to handling,increase shelf life of the produce and provide better value for money to customers.
“The total project cost would be around Rs150 crore.The cost of Nashik and Aurangabad IVCs is estimated to be Rs 102.45 crore. The state government will soon issue advertisements inviting private bidders. It will offer land for infrastructure development available with local wholesale markets. The construction work should be started by the end of this calendar year,” Akare said.
No comments:
Post a Comment