Support for common infrastructure would be provided to FPOs, SHGs, cooperatives, any Government agency or private enterprises. Common infrastructure created under the scheme should also be available for other units and public to utilize on hiring basis for substantial part of the capacity. Eligibility of a project under this category would be decided based on benefit to farmers and industry at large, viability gap, absence of private investment, criticality to value chain, etc. Credit linked grant would be available @ 35%. Maximum limit of grant in such cases would be as prescribed.

Types of Common infrastructure to be funded under the scheme:

  1. Premises for assaying of agriculture produce, sorting, grading, warehouse and cold storage at the farm-gate;
  2. Common processing facility for processing of ODOP produce;
  3. Incubation Centre should involve one or more product lines, which could be utilized by smaller units on a hire basis for processing of their produce. The Incubation Centre may partly be used for training purpose. It should be run on commercial basis.

Procedure for groups to send proposals for Common Infrastructure and capital investment by FPOs/ SHGs/ Cooperatives:

The following procedure should be followed for seeking funding for common infrastructure and capital investment by FPOs/SHGs/Cooperatives under the Scheme:

  1. A DPR for seeking assistance under the Scheme for capital investment and common infrastructure should be prepared, based on the format as prescribed;
  2. The DPR should have necessary details of the proposal, detailed project cost, proposed manpower, turnover, marketing channel, sources of raw material, estimated profit & loss account, cash flow statement, etc.;
  3. The DPR should be sent to State Nodal Agency (SNA). After approval of the proposal by SLAC, SNA should recommend the proposal to MoFPI. Any proposal for assistance to a group for grant above Rs.10 lakh should be sent to MOFPI for approval.
  4. After approval of the proposal by MoFPI, the proposal should be forwarded to the financial institution for sanction of loan;
  5. The DPR may also contain proposal for training support to the group members based on the training hours & modules, as prescribed and the cost norms of Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship. Component of training and capacity building would be fully funded under the Scheme;
  6. Assistance of Rs. 50,000/- per case would be provided to FPOs/SHGs/ Cooperatives for preparation of DPR;
  7. Disbursement of grant should take place to the bank account of the applicant organization after sanction of loan by the bank.