Agri-Clinic and Agribusiness Scheme is a central scheme run by the ministry of agriculture and NABARD. In short, the scheme is also known as ACABC Programme.
Let’s try to understand what the scheme is about.
The agriculture ministry, after seeking various inputs to improve the productivity of crops, has associated with NABARD to help farmers to use advanced Farming techniques, that will help farmers to improve yield. Using the ACABC scheme, Experts in the field of agriculture will provide expert advice on cropping techniques and help farmers protect their crops from pests and disease. The scheme will facilitate in providing market trends and prices of different crops in the market as well as clinical services for animal health
Government, through this initiative, will use the ability of agricultural graduates to promote agricultural health.
How would these Graduates be benefitted?
You can open your own Agri Clinic, or Agribusiness Centre and provide qualified extension services to numerous farmers regardless of whether you are a recent graduate or not or whether you are employed or not.
Dedicated to this initiative, the government is now offering start-up training to graduates in agriculture or other field related to agriculture, such as horticulture, sericulture, veterinary sciences, forestry, dairy, poultry farming, fisheries, etc.
How would non-graduates benefit from this Scheme?
Whether you are a recent graduate or not, employed or not, you can create your own Agri Clinic or Agribusiness Centre and offer expert extension services to countless farmers.
Let’s try to distinguish between Agri-clinic and Agribusiness centres
Agri-Clinics: Clinics are designed to give farmers expert advice and services on various technologies and clinical services for animal health, which will increase the productivity of crops and animals.
Following are the areas supported by Agri-clinics
➢ Soil health
➢ Cropping practices
➢ Plant protection
➢ Crop insurance Clinical services for animals, feed and fodder management
➢ Post-harvest technology
➢ Clinical services for animals, feed and fodder management
➢ Prices of various crops in the market, etc.
➢ Cropping practices
➢ Insurance Coverage for crops
➢ Post-Harvest Innovation schemes for animals
➢ Food and feeder management
Agri-Business Centres: Agri-Business Centres are organisations founded by trained candidates for postharvest management, market connections for revenue production, and the growth of entrepreneurship. They also provide maintenance and custom hiring of agricultural equipment, sales of inputs, and other services in agriculture and related fields. Agri-Business Centres are organisations founded by skilled individuals to provide services such as post-harvest management, market connections for revenue generation, entrepreneurship development, and maintenance and bespoke hiring of farm equipment.
Agri-business centres could offer services such as upkeep and tailored hiring of farm equipment, the sale of inputs and post-harvest management, as well as market connections to grow revenues and entrepreneurship.
As part of the program, comprehensive financial aid is provided for mentoring and training, as well as loans and credit-linked back-end composite subsidies.
The objective of the Scheme:
- The agribusiness entrepreneur’s model, local needs, and the capacity of the target group of farmers to pay for such services will serve to enhance public extension efforts by offering extension and other services to farmers on a fee-for-service basis or for free.
- To promote the expansion of agriculture
- To offer opportunities for successful self-employment to unemployed agricultural graduates, agricultural diploma holders, intermediate farmers, and biological science graduates with a PG in Agri-related courses.
Who are the eligible beneficiaries of the scheme? - Graduates of biological sciences with postgraduate degrees in agriculture and related fields
- Degree programmes approved by the UGC with more than 60% of the curriculum in agriculture and related fields
- Graduates of State Agriculture Universities (SAUs), Central Agricultural Universities, and Universities recognised by theICAR/UGC in the fields of agriculture and related topics.
- On the recommendation of the State Government Diploma (with at least 50% marks)/Post Graduate Diploma holders in Agriculture and allied subjects from State Agricultural Universities, State Agriculture and Allied Departments, and State Department of Technical Education, degrees in Agriculture and allied subjects offered by other agencies are also taken into consideration.
- On the recommendation of the State Government, diplomas in agriculture and related fields offered by other organisations are also taken into consideration, subject to Department of Agriculture, Cooperation& Farmers’ Welfare, GoI approval. Graduates of biological science with a postgraduate degree in agriculture and related fields. After earning a B.Sc. in biological sciences from an accredited institution or university, candidates should pursue a diploma or postgraduate degree programme with more than 60% of the course content in agriculture and related areas. Intermediate (i.e., plus two) level courses in agriculture with at least a 55% grade point average.
What is the quantum of the Loan being offered?
According to the plan, 20 lakhs are accessible to people, and five skilled individuals receive 100 lakhs.
What are the documents needed for the scheme?
Following are some of the documents needed to avail of the benefit of the scheme
● Letter of continuity
● Appropriate DPN Note
● General Term Loan agreement
● CIBIL Undertaking
● Third-Party Guarantee
● Letter of general lien and setoff