Agriclinic and Agribusiness Centers Scheme
Agriclinic and Agribusiness Centers Scheme
The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India along with NABARD has introduced a unique programme to improve farming methods across the country. The Government has established start-up training to graduates in Agriculture, or any subject allied to Agriculture like Sericulture, Horticulture, Veterinary Sciences, Forestry, Dairy, Poultry Farming, and Fisheries, etc. Once the training is completed, an individual can apply for special start-up loans for the venture. The scheme aims to develop the establishment of Agri-Clinics and Agri-Business Centres (ACABC) in the country.
Objective of the Scheme
Given below are the objectives of the scheme.
- To improve the efforts of public extension by providing extension and other services to the farmers on a payment basis or for free of cost as per the guidelines of the business model of agripreneur local needs and the affordability of target group of farmers.
- To enhance agricultural development.
- To build self-employment opportunities for unemployed agricultural diploma holders, agricultural graduates and those graduates with an intermediate in agriculture and biological science with post graduation in agri-related courses.
Agri-Clinics
Agri-Clinics are used for providing expert advice and services to farmers in various aspects to improve the productivity of crops/ animals and increase the income of the farmers. Agri-clinics provide support in the given below areas.
- Soil health
- Plant protection
- Cropping practices
- Crop insurance
- Prices of various crops in the market
- Clinical services for animals, feed and fodder management
- Post-harvest technology
Agri-Business Centres
Agri-Business Centres are trading units of agri-ventures that are established by trained agricultural professionals. These ventures entail maintenance and custom hiring of farm equipment, the sale of inputs and other services in agriculture and allied areas, covering the post-harvest management and market linkages for income generation and entrepreneurship development. The scheme provides full financial support for training and hand holding, provision of loan and credit-linked back ended the composite subsidy.
Eligibility Criteria
The following candidates are eligible to apply for this scheme.
- Graduates in agriculture and allied subjects from the State Agriculture Universities (SAUs)/ Central Agricultural Universities/ Universities that are recognized by ICAR/ UGC. Degree in Agriculture and allied subjects that are offered by other agencies would also be considered to the approval of the Department of Agriculture and Cooperation, Government of India on the recommendation of the State Government.
- Diploma with a minimum of 50%/ Post Graduate Diploma holders in Agriculture and allied subjects from the State Agricultural Universities, State Agriculture and allied departments and State Department of Technical Education.
- Diploma in Agriculture and allied subjects that are offered by other agencies are also considered subject to the approval of the Department of Agriculture and Cooperation, The government of India on the recommendation made by the State Government.
- Biological Science Graduates with Post Graduation in Agriculture and allied subjects.
- Degree courses that are recognised by UGC that are having more than 60% of course content in Agriculture and allied subjects.
- Diploma/ Post Graduate courses with more than 60 per cent of course content in Agriculture and allied subjects, after pursuing B.Sc with Biological Sciences, from recognised colleges and universities.
- Agriculture-related courses at Intermediate level with at least 55% marks average.
Project Activities
- Soil and water quality along with inputs testing laboratories.
- Pest surveillance, diagnostic and control services.
- Maintenance, repairs and custom hiring of agricultural equipment and machinery including micro-irrigation systems.
- Seed Processing Units.
- Micropropagation using Plant Tissue Culture Labs and Hardening Units.
- Setting up of Vermiculture units, bio-pesticides, production of bio-fertilisers, bio-control agents.
- Setting up of Apiaries and honey and bee products’ processing units.
- Production and Hatcheries of fish fingerlings for aquaculture.
- Provision of Extension Consultancy Services.
- Provision for livestock health cover, setting up veterinary dispensaries and services including frozen semen banks and liquid nitrogen supply.
- Retail marketing outlets for processed agri-products.
- Establishing Information Technology Kiosks in rural areas to access various agriculture-related portals.
- Feed Processing and testing units.
- Value Addition Centres.
- Setting up of Cool Chain fro the farm level onwards.
- Rural marketing dealerships for farm inputs and outputs.
Any combination of two or more of the above viable activities along with any other economically viable activity selected by the Graduates, that is acceptable to the Bank.
Loan Amount
- Rs.20 Lakhs will be provided for individual activity.
- Maximum of Rs. 100 Lakhs will be provided for group activity. For groups that have more than five people, except one person, all others have to be trained under the scheme and the remaining would be considered as a non-agri graduate with experience in business development and management.
Subsidy
A subsidy amount of 44% of the project cost will be provided for women, SC/ ST and all categories of the candidates from North East and the Hill States. A subsidy of 36% of the project cost will be provided to the remaining candidates. There is no interest levied on the subsidy portion of the loan as the subsidy is released up front with lock period of 3 years.
Security
- For amount up to Rs. 5 Lakh, hypothecation of assets is created
- For amount more than Rs. 5 Lakhs, hypothecation of assets is created and Mortgage of land or Third party guarantee.
Repayment of Loan
All candidates have o repay the loan amount in 5-10 years. This can be extended up to a maximum of 2 years.
Loan Application
To apply for a loan, the applicant has to contact the nearest branch with the necessary qualification certificates.
