Agri-Clinic and Agribusiness Centers Scheme (ACABC)

Introduction

1. Agri-Clinics and Agri-Business Centres Scheme (ACABC) is being implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Government of India, in association with NABARD & MANAGE.

2. The objectives of the scheme are to supplement efforts of public extension, support agriculture development and to create gainful self-employment opportunities to unemployed agricultural graduates, etc.

3. Agri-Clinics: Agri-Clinics provide expert advice and services to farmers for soil health, cropping practices, plant protection, crop insurance, post-harvest technologies, as well as offers clinical services for animals,feed and fodder management, prices of various crops in the market, etc.

4. Agri-Business Centers: Agri-Business Centers are units of Agri-ventures established by unemployed trained agriculture professionals, including maintenance and custom hiring of farm equipment, sale of inputs and other services in agriculture and allied areas.

5. 44 % of project cost will be as composite subsidy for women, SC/ST & all categories of candidates from NE and Hill states and 36% of project cost for all others

Eligible Applicants

1. Only candidates who have completed training through MANAGE will be eligible for loan/subsidy.

2. Retired Officials are not eligible for subsidy under the scheme, however they can undergo training provided they establish ventures by self-financing and not claim for subsidy.

3. Unemployed Agriculture graduates/graduates in subjects allied to agriculture like horticulture, Animal Husbandry, Forestry, Dairy, Veterinary, Poultry farming and Sericulture, etc.

4. Post-Graduation in agriculture & allied subjects.

5. Diploma/Degree courses recognized by UGC having more than 60 percent of the course content in agriculture and allied subjects.

6. Agriculture related courses at intermediate (i.e., plus two) level, with at least 55% marks.

7. Details of other eligible applicants are given in the ACABC scheme guidelines.

Additional Information

1. Graduates from agriculture studies back ground will be given free of cost training if they wish to set-up centers.

2. National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management (MANAGE) will be responsible for providing training to eligible candidates, through Nodal Training Institutes (NTIs) and motivating them for setting up of Agri-Clinics and Agri-Business Centers.

3. Ceiling of project cost for subsidy is Rs.20 lakhs for an individual project (Rs.25 lakh in case of extremely successful individual projects) and up to Rs.100 lakhs for a group project (established by a group comprising at least 5 trained persons under the scheme).

4. The scheme tends to promote better farming methods and to support agriculture development and entrepreneurship, as well as use trained professionals to develop the agriculture sector.