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Agri-Clinics And Agri-Business Centres Scheme

AC&ABC

Published by Monika, Editor

Revised Official listing text, not yet reviewedHow entries are compiled

Program brief

Form of supportCash together with goods or services
LevelCentral
Run byMinistry Of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Department of Agriculture Research and Education
FieldAgriculture,Rural & Environment
Started2002
How to applyOnline
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Contents of this entry
  1. Overview
  2. Benefits
  3. Eligibility
  4. Documents
  5. Application steps
  6. Questions and answers

Overview

Agri-Clinics And Agri-Business Centres Scheme

A welfare scheme by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare was launched in 2002. AC&ABC aims at agricultural development, supplementing the efforts of public extension by providing extension and other services to farmers either on a payment basis or free of cost as per the business model.

The "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. 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.

Training

Committed to this program, the Government is now also providing start-up training to graduates in Agriculture, or any subject allied to Agriculture like Horticulture, Sericulture, Veterinary Sciences, Forestry, Dairy, Poultry Farming, Fisheries, etc. Those completing the training can apply for special start-up loans for ventures.

Further facts from the listing

Scheme typeCentral Sector Scheme
Implementing agencyNational Bank For Agriculture And Rural Development (NABARD)
Scheme forIndividual
DBT (direct bank transfer)Yes
Direct Bank TransferYes

Benefits

  • 44% of the project cost will be as a composite subsidy for women, SC/ST & all categories of candidates from NE and Hill states and 36% of the project cost for all others.
  • Graduates from agriculture studies background will be given free of cost training if they wish to set-up centers.
  • 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.
  • Ceiling of project cost for subsidy is Rs. 20,00,000/- for an individual project (Rs. 25,00,000/- 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).
  • The scheme tends to promote better farmina methods and to suprment and entrepreneurship, as well as use trained professionals to develop the agriculture sector

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.

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.

Project activities:

  1. Extension consultancy services
  2. Soil and water quality cum inputs testing laboratories (with Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometers)
  3. Pest surveillance, diagnostic and control services
  4. Maintenance, repairs, and custom hiring of agricultural implements and machinery including micro-irrigation systems (sprinkler and drip)
  5. Agri Service Centres include the three activities mentioned above (Group Activity).
  6. Seed Processing Units
  7. Micro-propagation through Plant Tissue Culture Labs and Hardening Units
  8. Setting up of Vermiculture units, production of bio-fertilizers, bio-pesticides, and bio-control agents.
  9. Setting up of Apiaries (bee-keeping) and honey & bee products' processing units
  10. Provision of Extension Consultancy Services
  11. Hatcheries and production of fish fingerlings for aquaculture
  12. Provision of livestock health cover, setting up veterinary dispensaries & services including frozen semen banks and liquid nitrogen supply
  13. Setting up of Information Technology Kiosks in rural areas for access to various agriculture-related portals
  14. Feed Processing and testing units
  15. Value Addition Centres
  16. Setting up of Cool Chain from the farm level onwards (Group Activity)
  17. Retail marketing outlets for processed agri-products
  18. Rural marketing dealerships of farm inputs and outputs

Eligibility

Age
18 to 60 years
  1. The age of the applicant must be between 18 and 60 years.
  2. The applicant must qualify as one of the following -
  • Graduates in agriculture and allied subjects from SAUs/ Central Agricultural Universities/ Universities recognized by ICAR/ UGC. Degree in Agriculture and allied subjects offered by other agencies are also considered subject to the approval of the Department of Agriculture & Cooperation, Government of India 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.
  • Diplomas in Agriculture and allied subjects offered by other agencies are also considered subject to the approval of the Department of Agriculture & Cooperation, Government of India on the recommendation of the State Government.
  • Biological Science Graduates with Post Graduation in Agriculture & allied subjects.
  • Degree courses recognized by UGC have more than 60 percent of the course content in Agriculture and allied subjects.
  • Diploma/Post-graduate Diploma courses with more than 60 percent of course content in Agriculture and allied subjects, after B.Sc. with Biological Sciences, from recognized colleges and universities.
  • Agriculture-related courses at intermediate (i.e. plus two) level, with at least 55% marks.

Who cannot apply

Retired Employees Getting Pensionary Benefits Are Not Eligible For Subsidy. However, They Can Undergo Training And Establish Self Financed Projects.

Documents

1. Applicant Aadhaar Number.

2. Email ID.

3. Latest Educational Qualification.

4. Applicant's Bank Account Details.

5. Applicant photo

Till such time as Aadhaar is assigned to an individual, she/he can avail the benefit of the scheme on the production of the following documents:

Aadhaar enrolment ID slip/ Copy of request for Aadhaar enrolment and Voter Identity Card/ PAN/ Passport/ Ration Card/ Employee Government ID/ Passbook of Bank or Post Office/ MGNREGS Card/ Kisan Photo Passport/ Driving Licenses/ any other document as specified by State/ UT.

Application steps

Online

Step 1: Visit the official website of the scheme. https://acabcmis.gov.in/ApplicantReg.aspx

Step 2: Fill in the mandatory fields correctly. Upload the required documents in the said format and size.

Step 3: Click "Submit" to complete the application process.

Track Application Status

Step 1: The applicant can check his/her application status by visiting this link.https://acabcmis.gov.in/ApplicationStatus_new.aspxhttps://acabcmis.gov.in/ApplicantReg.aspx

Step 2: Fill Applicant ID/Mobile Number/Aadhaar Number

Step 3: Submit the details and check the status

Note:

The applicant applies the scheme through the Jansamarth portal.

Questions and answers

What is ACABC scheme?

The Ministry of Agriculture and farmers welfare, Government of India, in association with National Institute of Agricultural Extension (MANAGE) and NABARD has launched a unique programme to take better methods of farming to each and every farmer across the country. This programme aims to tap the expertise available in the large pool of Graduates in Agriculture & allied subjects, environmental science and life sciences . Irrespective of whether you are a fresh graduate or not, if you are unemployed, you can set up your own Agri-Clinic or Agri-Business Centre and offer professional extension services to innumerable farmers. Committed to this programme, the Government is roviding entrepreneurship training to graduates in Agriculture, or any subject allied to Agriculture like Horticulture, Sericulture, Veterinary Sciences, Forestry, Dairy, Poultr Farming, and Fisheries, etc., as well as environmental science and life science. Those completing the training can apply for self employment loans for venture establishment.

What is an Agri Clinic?

Agri-Clinics are envisaged to provide expert advice and services to farmers on various technologies including:

• Soil health

• Cropping practices

• Plant protection

• Crop insurance

• Post-harvest technology and clinical services for animals

• Feed and fodder management

• Prices of various crops in the market etc. which would enhance productivity of crops/animals and ensure increased income to farmers.

What is Agribusiness?

Commercial units of agriventures established by trained agriculture professionals.

Such ventures may include:

• Maintenance and custom hiring of farm equipment

• Sale of inputs and other services in agriculture and allied areas.

• Post harvest management units

• Value addition units

• Seed production and processing units

• Dairy/Poultry/Piggery/Apiary/Fishery/Goatery/Mushroom/Rabit rearing units

What is objective of the scheme?

To providing extension and other services to the farmers on payment basis or free of cost as per business model of agri-preneur, local needs and affordability of target group of farmers and support agricultural development. To create gainful self-employment opportunities to unemployed agricultural graduates, agricultural diploma holders, intermediate in agriculture and biological science graduates with PG in agri-related courses.

Who can apply for the scheme?

Following are the beneficiaries graduated from: Agriculture/Horticulture, Animal husbandry, Fisheries, Dairy, Veterinary, Poultry, Pisciculture, Microbiology, Life sciences, Environmental science & other allied activities can apply for a loan under the scheme.

How to apply for training?

Beneficiary can visit http://www.agriclinics.net/OnlineApplication26052020.pdf Or Beneficiary can visit home page of the scheme portal https://acabcmis.gov.in, where online application form is available.

What is the duration of training?

45 days residential training to students who are desirous of setting up Agri- Clinics and Agri-Business Centers.

What is covered in training?

Basic agriculture, information about project management, maintenance of accounts, market survey, personality development, computer internet etc. will be given to the

trainees.

What would be contribution of applicant?

The margin money to be contributed by the entrepreneur will be as per prevailing norms issued by Reserve Bank of India. As per present norms, margin money is not prescribed for loans upto Rs. 5 lakhs. In case of margin money, concessions would be made in respect of SCs/STs, women and beneficiaries of North-Eastern States, Hill areas. In such cases, a maximum of 50% of the margin money prescribed by banks could be given by NABARD to meet the shortfall in borrower's contribution, if the bank is satisfied that the borrower is unable to meet the margin money requirements. Such assistance to banks by NABARD will be without any interest. The banks may, however, levy a service charge up to 2% per annum from the borrowers.

What will happen if project is not completed?

If the project is not completed within the stipulated period, benefit of subsidy shall not be available and advance subsidy placed with the participating bank, if any, will have to be refunded forthwith to NABARD.

Can project be group project?

The trained candidates could also undertake group projects, if the group consists of a total of five or more persons trained under the scheme.

Is there any ceiling for project cost?

Yes, the upper ceiling for project cost eligible for subsidy is Rs. 20 lakhs for individual projects and Rs. 100 lakhs for group projects. For extremely successful individual projects the ceiling is Rs. 25 lakhs.

Is there any age limit for beneficiaries?

Yes, the age limit is 18 to 60 years

Is there any other condition for eligibility?

Yes, retired employees getting pensionery benefits are not eligible for subsidy. However, they can undergo training and establish self financed projects.

What is the subsidy pattern?

Subsidy is 36% of Total Financial Outlay (TFO) for General category candidates and 44% for Women, SC/ST/NE and Hilly State candidates

Whether subsidy will be calculated on the bank loan availed?

No, subsidy will be calculated on the Total Project Cost which includes bank loan and margin money subject to the ceiling of Rs. 20 lakhs (Rs. 25 lakhs for extremely successful projects) for individuals and Rs. 100 lakhs for group projects.

If an individual starts with a small project, is there any scope for expansion?

Yes, if an individual/group starts with a small project, he/she/group can expand or establish a new project subject to the ceiling that the total TO of both the projects is Rs. 20 lakhs (Rs. 25 lakhs for extremely successful projects) for individuals and Rs. 100 lakhs for groups.

What is the lock in period for bank loans?

A beneficiary cannot close the bank loans within three years from the date of availing loans.

Whether collateral security is required for bank loans?

This is governed by the decision taken by Reserve Bank of India from time to time. As per the latest circular, Collateral security is not required for loans upto Rs. 10 lakhs.

Whether loans under ACABC can be availed under MUDRA Yojana?

Yes, for projects with TFO upto Rs. 10 lakhs, loans can be availed under MUDRA Yojana.

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