Sensitization cum interactive prog organised
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, February 19 2019:
A sensitization cum interactive programme on the schemes taken up by Manipur Small Farmers Agri-Business Consortium (MSFAC), was organised at Hotel Classic today.
The event which was presided by- Agriculture Commissioner Sumant Singh, was attended by top bank officials and representatives of 15 Farmer Producer Companies (FPCs).
During the event, MSFAC Project Coordinator MS Khaidem presented a power point presentation and explained about the schemes taken up by MSFAC.
He explained that MSFAC has launched various schemes, under the aegis of the Central Government, to strengthen the FPCs and to ensure that their products are sold at the appropriate rates.
He also informed that bank officials were also present as almost all of the schemes are linked with the banks.
MSFAC has many schemes like Venture Capital Assistance Scheme, Equity Grant Scheme and Credit Guarantee Funds etc for the farmers and the FPCs and over and above these, MSFAC also aids in sending of project (DPR), he added.
Under the Venture Capital Assistance scheme, farmers, SHGs, NGOs and any company can get upto 40 percent interest free loans but to do so, the project cost should be Rs 10 lakh at the minimum.
He continued that under the Equity Grant scheme, grant to the tune of Rs 15 lakh will be provided to the FPCs and there are prescribed format for applying to such grants.
The application can be done on-line or through MSFAC, he added.
On the other hand, when it comes to Credit Guarantee Fund, MSFAC assists in providing collateral free security while trying to avail loan for a project in a bank.
Over and above, MSFAC also offers service concerning DPRs at its various consultant companies, he explained adding that the concept paper has to get the approval from a bank first.
Agriculture Director Y Shyam, NABAR Regional Office Imphal General Manager PN Praveen Kumar, SBI Imphal Regional Manager Kamal Khannal, Axis Bank Imphal Deputy Vice-Chairman Parabat Singh Naorem, ICICI Imphal Chief Manager KSJ Gangte and All Manipur Entrepreneur Association president Rishikumar Sougaijam were also present at the event.