To support the Agriculture Development & create gainful employment for the graduates of agriculture besides extending the extension services to farmers, the government of India has announced a scheme for the establishment of the Agri Clinics & Agri-Business Centers (ACABC).
It was revealed at the district-level workshop, organized by NABARD at Krishi Vigyan Kendra (SKUAST) Anantnag. This workshop was inaugurated by the DDM NABARD Rouf Zargar & was attended by the graduates of agriculture of the district besides, the district head of the Agriculture, SKUAST, Horticulture & the Banks were also present.
While giving the complete details of the scheme, the DDM has said that this scheme aims to provide business opportunities to all the unemployed graduates of agriculture & the doorstep delivery of the agricultural extension services to the farmers to cater to their local needs & affordability.
These business centers/Clinics shall provide expert advice & services to the farmers on various technologies. The DDM has informed that the requisite 60 days of training shall be provided to the applicants free of cost by the National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management (MANAGE), through the Nodal Training Institutes (NTIs).
After the training, the applicants will be given a bank loan from 20 lakh to 1 crore (individual or group) to start the unit. NABARD will channelize the 36% subsidy to the general category applicants & 44% to the applicants, who are belonging to the Scheduled Castes, Schedules Tribes (SC/ST) & the northeast, hilly states.
About AgriClinics & AgriBusiness Centers (ACABC)
The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India in association with the NABARD has recently launched a very unique program to take the better methods of farming to each & every farmer across the country.
This program typically aims to tap the expertise available in a large pool of Agriculture Graduates. Irrespective of whether you are a fresh graduate or not or whether you are employed or not, you can still set up your own AgriClinic or AgriBusiness Centre & offer professional extension services to innumerable farmers.
The Government is providing start-up training to the graduates in Agriculture or any other subject, which allied to Agriculture such as Sericulture, Horticulture, Forestry, Veterinary, Poultry Farming, Dairy & Fisheries, etc. Those who are completing the training can apply for special start-up loans for the venture.
