Govt.Schemes

Establishment of Agri Clinics and Agri Business Centers (ACABC)

July 29, 2019

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Establishment of Agri Clinics and Agri Business Centers (ACABC)

Compiled & shared by- DR. RK SINGH, JAMSHEDPUR

Here is the brief description of the guidelines related to the Scheme for setting up of Agriclinic and Agribusiness Centers (ACABC). Those who are interested in setting up of ACABC in Livestock/Dairy and Poultry Farming may contact me for Detail Bankable Project Report (DPR).

INTRODUCTION

With the diversification and modernisation of agricultural practices, there is a need to augment support and extension services for agriculture. For this purpose, a scheme for setting up agriclinics and agribusiness centres by agriculture & allied subjects graduates has been launched by Gov. of India with the support of NABARD. These centres will provide a package of input facilities, consultancy and other services. They will strengthen transfer of technology and extension services and also provide self employment opportunities to technically trained persons.

National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management (MANAGE) is the nodal agency for imparting training under the scheme. Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has classified loans to agri-clinics and agri-business centres as direct agricultural loans, even though input supply is normally classified as indirect loans to agriculture.

This programme aims to tap the expertise available in the large pool of Agriculture Graduates. Irrespective of whether you are a fresh graduate or not or whether you are currently employed or not, you can set up your own AgriClinic or AgriBusiness Centre and offer professional extension services to innumerable farmers.

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

For further detail pl. refer to No.NB.ICD/ 2428 /ACABC-4/2010-11
NABARD Circular No. 255 / ICD- 52 / 2010 dated 24 Dec. 2010

OBJECTIVE OF THE SCHEME

The Scheme now inter alia aims to supplement efforts of public extension by necessarily providing extension and other services to the farmers on payment basis or free of cost as per business model of agricultural entrepreneur (agri-preneurs), local needs and affordability of target group of farmers.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR CANDIDATES

At present, the candidates who have been trained by MANAGE under the Scheme after April 1, 2004 are eligible to avail subsidy under the scheme. This cut-off date will continue unless it is modified subsequently.

Graduates in agriculture and allied subjects from SAUs/ Central Agricultural
Universities/ Universities recognized by ICAR/ UGC. Degree holders in Agriculture and allied subjects offered by other agencies are also eligible subject to approval of Department of Agriculture & Cooperation, Government of India on 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. Diploma holders in Agriculture and allied subjects offered by other agencies are also eligible subject to approval of Department of Agriculture & Cooperation, Government of India on recommendation of the State Government.
Biological Science Graduates with Post Graduation in Agriculture & allied subjects.
Degree holders in courses recognized by UGC having more than 60 percent of the course content in Agriculture and allied subjects.
Diploma/Post-graduate Diploma holders in 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.

For further detail pl. refer to GoI letter F.No.10 (14)/2009-EM dated 30 September 2010

SUBSIDY PATTERN

Subsidy pattern has been revised from “capital and interest subsidy” to “Composite Subsidy” which will be back-ended in nature. It will be 44% of project cost for women, SC/ST & all categories of candidates from NE and Hill states and 36% of project cost for all others.

In all new cases, subsidy will be released as Composite Subsidy. NABARD will ensure that the banks do not charge interest on subsidy portion of the loan, as back-ended subsidy is released to banks up-front. The benefit of subsidy will be extended maximum twice to a candidate under the Scheme.

The financing bank will consider the periodic or surprise visit reports while releasing the back-ended composite subsidy to the agri-preneur under this Scheme.

This report has to be finalized before the expiry of three years lock-in period. The financing bank should send copy of the reports (received as above) to the NABARD and ATMA for information. The report may highlight nature of enterprise initiated by agri-preneur, its coverage / reach, impact on income of agri-preneur, impact on farmers and agricultural development in the area.

LIMIT OF TOTAL FINANCIAL OUTLAY (TFO)

Ceiling of project cost for subsidy has been enhanced to Rs.20 lakh for individual’s project (Rs. 25 lakh in case of extremely successful individual projects) and to Rs.100 lakh for a group project (minimum of five individuals).

The term loan would be composite in nature and participating bank(s) would extend bank loan as per the Total Financial Outlay (TFO), which would include fixed capital cost, working capital for one operating cycle, and subsidy amount eligible, (as subsidy is backended) but it would not include margin money.

The provision of Composite Subsidy even for low capital investment cases has been now being introduced as it is definitely possible that some agri-preneurs already have capital (e.g. a building) to start a venture, thereby requiring minimal capital investment. At least 10% value of the Total Financial Outlay (TFO) of the project should be in capital form.

Payment of back-ended subsidy will be linked to extension services provided by the agri-preneurs.

MARGIN MONEY & SECURITY

The stipulations on margin money and security for availing loans from banks shall be in accordance with the guidelines of Reserve Bank of India issued from time to time.

CUT OFF DATE