Agri-Clinics And Agri-Business Centres Scheme in India

Agri-Clinics And Agri-Business Centres Scheme (AC&ABC)

Agri-Clinics And Agri-Business Centres Scheme: In 2002, the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare introduced the Agriculture Clinics and Agri-Business Centers (AC&ABC) scheme. This initiative is dedicated to fostering agricultural development by complementing public extension efforts. AC&ABC offers extension services to farmers, combining payment-based and free services, aligning with the agri-preneur business model and the local needs and affordability of the targeted farmer groups.

Overview table of Agri-Clinics And Agri-Business Centres Scheme

Aspect	Details
Scheme Name	Agri-Clinics And Agri-Business Centres Scheme (AC&ABC)
Introduction and Purpose	Introduced in 2002 by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare to complement public extension efforts, fostering agricultural development. Offers extension services to farmers, combining payment-based and free services.
Target Group	Unemployed agricultural graduates, diploma holders, those with intermediate qualifications in agriculture, and biological science graduates with post-graduation in agri-related courses.
Government Support and Training	Government provides startup training in various agricultural fields. Graduates completing training can apply for special startup loans.
Benefits	– Agri-Clinics: Expert hubs offering advice and services to farmers. – Agri-Business Centres: Engage in various agri-ventures. – Project Activities: Cover diverse initiatives to boost agricultural productivity and income for farmers.
Eligibility Criteria	Age bracket: 18 to 60 years. Qualifications: Degrees, diplomas, and postgraduate degrees in agriculture and allied subjects. Biological science graduates with post-graduation in agriculture-related courses also eligible.
Exclusions	Retired employees receiving pensionary benefits are not eligible for subsidies but can establish self-financed projects after undergoing training.
Application Process	Apply online through the official website. Fill mandatory fields accurately, upload required documents, and click “Submit” to complete the process.
Document Required	Aadhaar number, email ID, latest educational qualifications, bank account details, and a passport-sized photograph.
Aadhaar Exemptions	Until Aadhaar is assigned, individuals can benefit from the scheme by producing alternative documents specified by the State/UT.
Conclusion	AC&ABC scheme enhances agricultural practices, promotes entrepreneurship, and empowers individuals passionate about agriculture. Addresses diverse needs of farmers and agri-preneurs, contributing to overall agricultural sector growth.

Fulfilling Employment Gaps

A core focus of AC&ABC is creating meaningful self-employment opportunities for unemployed agricultural graduates, diploma holders, those with intermediate qualifications in agriculture, and biological science graduates with post-graduation in agri-related courses. NABARD plays a pivotal role in channelizing subsidies for this scheme.

Government Support and Training

Demonstrating commitment, the government now provides startup training to graduates in agriculture and allied subjects. This includes fields such as Horticulture, Sericulture, Veterinary Sciences, Forestry, Dairy, Poultry Farming, Fisheries, and more. Graduates completing the training can apply for special startup loans to kickstart their ventures.

Benefits of AC&ABC

1. Agri-Clinics:
   Agri-Clinics act as expert hubs, offering advice and services to farmers. Areas covered include soil health, cropping practices, plant protection, crop insurance, post-harvest technology, clinical services for animals, and more.
2. Agri-Business Centres:
   Commercial units established by trained agriculture professionals, Agri-Business Centres engage in various agri-ventures. These ventures encompass maintenance and custom hiring of farm equipment, input sales, post-harvest management, and market linkages.
3. Project Activities:
   AC&ABC covers diverse project activities, ranging from extension consultancy services to setting up seed processing units, micro-propagation labs, and more. These initiatives aim to boost agricultural productivity and income for farmers.

Agri-Clinics And Agri-Business Centres Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the scheme, applicants must fall within the age bracket of 18 to 60 years. Qualifications include degrees, diplomas, and postgraduate degrees in agriculture and allied subjects from recognized institutions. Even biological science graduates with post-graduation in agriculture-related courses can apply, provided they meet the specified criteria.

Exclusions

Retired employees receiving pensionary benefits are not eligible for subsidies. However, they can undergo training and establish self-financed projects.

Agri-Clinics And Agri-Business Centres Scheme Apply Online

Online Application:

• Visit the official website.
• Fill in mandatory fields accurately.
• Upload required documents as per the specified format and size.
• Click “Submit” to complete the application process.

Application Status Check:
Applicants can track their application status by visiting the provided link.

Documents Required

Applicants need to submit essential documents, including Aadhaar number, email ID, latest educational qualifications, bank account details, and a passport-sized photograph.

Aadhaar Exemptions

Until Aadhaar is assigned, individuals can benefit from the scheme by producing alternative documents specified by the State/UT.

Conclusion: Agri-Clinics And Agri-Business Centres Scheme

In conclusion, the AC&ABC scheme stands as a significant stride towards enhancing agricultural practices, promoting entrepreneurship, and empowering individuals with a passion for agriculture. Through its comprehensive approach, the scheme addresses the diverse needs of farmers and aspiring agri-preneurs, contributing to the overall growth of the agricultural sector.

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