Objectives of the Scheme

The objective of the venture capital assistance scheme is explained as below:

• To support the entrepreneurs in setting up an agribusiness venture which is approved by the banks, financial institutions regulated by the RBI.
• To help farmers, producer groups, and agriculture graduates to participate in the value chain through the Project Development Facility.
• To strengthen the previous stages of state and central SFAC.
• To promote training and visits of agri-entrepreneurs in setting up agribusiness projects.
• To provide assured markets to the producers to increase rural income and employment.
• To assist the backward linkages of agribusiness projects with producers.

Features of the Scheme

The features of the venture capital assistance scheme are as follows:

• The venture capital will be provided only for the projects qualified by the banks/ financial institution funding the project.
• As per the repayment schedule, the venture capital has to be repaid to the SFAC within the stipulated period.
• The SFAC will provide the venture capital to the agri-business projects in the form of soft loans.

Eligibility Criteria

The following are the entities specified to avail the loan from the SFAC.

• Individual
• Farmers
• Producer group
• Partnership Firm
• Self Help Groups
• Company
• Agripreneuers
• Agri-export zones units
• Agricultural graduates

Quantum of Loan

The quantum of loan for the venture capital assistance will be provided depending upon the project cost. The minimum and maximum loan amount are specified here.

• The quantum of loan will be 26% of the promoter’s equity.
• The maximum amount of loan provided under this scheme will be Rs.50 lakhs.

 The loan for the projects placed in the north-eastern parts, hilly region are as follows.

• The quantum of loan will be 40% of the promoter’s equity.
• The maximum amount of loan provided under this scheme will be Rs.50 lakhs.

Terms and Conditions

The following are the conditions to be satisfied to avail loan under this scheme.

• The project must be in the agriculture sector or any other sector related to the agriculture practices.
• The project must give the assured market to the producer or farmers.
• The project must be sanctioned by the banks or financial institution for the grant of loan to the project.
• The project should encourage the farmers in yielding high-value crops for the increase in the income of the farmer.

High Venture Capital

The Executive Committee under SFAC has the power to authorise the project for the recommendation of high venture capital, only when the following conditions are satisfied:

• If the net value of the project is not more than Rs. 10 crore.
• If the projects are located in the northeastern region, hilly states which are declared as backward regions by the planning commission backward regions grant fund scheme.
• If the sanctioning authority approves the provision for the high venture capital to a maximum of Rs.3 crore

Documents Required

The following are the documents are to be furnished along with application form.

• Promoter’s request letter
• Sanction letter of the sanctioning authority
• Banks’ approved appraisal
• The current statement of the account
• In case of partnership firm the copy of partnership firm certificate
• Equity certificate 
• Farmer’s backward linkage duly supported by the agreement
• Affidavit of promoter stating that VCA was not availed earlier
• In case of unsecured loans acquired by the promoter, the CA certificate has to be furnished
• Copy of current bank inspection report
• Bank’s confirmation is stating that they will not release collateral security without the SFAC approval
• Justification of margin on working capital was taken in project cost