NABARD Subsidy for Agri-Export Zones: Post-Harvest Support 2024

Agricultural exporters in India can significantly reduce their capital expenditure through NABARD-guided investment subsidy schemes. Focused on strengthening the rural economy, NABARD provides financial assistance for the creation of modern post-harvest infrastructure, including specialized storage and processing units. These subsidies are critical for SMEs looking to meet international quality standards required for Western markets. Under the Agricultural Marketing Infrastructure (AMI) sub-scheme of ISAM, promoters can leverage capital subsidies to build state-of-the-art facilities. This financial support is often channeled through commercial banks, where NABARD acts as the nodal agency for fund release. For exporters, this means lower interest burdens and faster ROI on cold chain logistics and grading units. ## What this means for exporters Exporters should ensure their projects are integrated with the electronic National Agriculture Market (e-NAM) guidelines for better eligibility. As per the NABARD guidelines for the Agricultural Marketing Infrastructure scheme, eligible entities include individuals, Cooperatives, and FPOs. The subsidy usually ranges from 25% to 33.33% of the capital cost depending on the entrepreneur category and project location. It is essential to secure 'In-principle' approval from your lending bank before commencing civil works to remain eligible for the credit-linked subsidy.