Question

The objectives of the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund launched in 2020 are:
• [A.] To boost farm-gate infrastructure
• [B.] To procure and sell agricultural products through government agencies
• [C.] To improve private sector involvement in agriculture
• [D.] To ensure timely payment to farmers at the MSP Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

• A. A and B only
• B. A and C only
• C. A, B and C only
• D. B, C and D only

Hint:

The Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (2020) aims to:
• Develop farm-gate and post-harvest infrastructure.
• Promote private investment in agriculture.
• Reduce post-harvest losses.
• Improve value addition and supply chain efficiency. It is not meant for MSP payments or procurement operations by government agencies.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Concept: The Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) was launched by the Government of India in 2020 to provide medium and long-term financing for post-harvest management infrastructure and community farming assets. Its objective is to strengthen agricultural infrastructure and attract greater private investment into the sector.

Step 1: Examine each statement.
• [(A)] To boost farm-gate infrastructure is one of the primary objectives of the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund. Hence, \[ \boxed{\text{Statement A is Correct.}} \]
• [(B)] Procuring and selling agricultural produce through government agencies is the responsibility of agencies such as the Food Corporation of India (FCI), not the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund. Hence, \[ \boxed{\text{Statement B is Incorrect.}} \]
• [(C)] The Agriculture Infrastructure Fund encourages private investment and participation in agricultural infrastructure. Hence, \[ \boxed{\text{Statement C is Correct.}} \]
• [(D)] Ensuring timely payment to farmers at the Minimum Support Price (MSP) is not an objective of the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund. Hence, \[ \boxed{\text{Statement D is Incorrect.}} \]

Step 2: Choose the correct combination. The correct objectives are \[ \boxed{A \text{ and } C \text{ only}} \] Hence, \[ \boxed{\text{Correct Answer}=(B)\;A\text{ and }C\text{ only}} \]