Agriclinic and Agribusiness Centres Scheme (ACABC)
The Ministry of Agriculture and farmers welfare, Government of India, in association with NABARD has launched a unique programme to take better methods of farming to each and every farmer across the country. The scheme aims to promote the establishment of Agri-Clinics and Agri-Business Centres (ACABC) all over the country.
Objectives of the scheme
- To provide extension and other services to farmers on payment basis:
- To support agriculture development and entrepreneurship:
- To promote self-employment
Agri-Clinics
Agri-Clinics are envisaged to provide expert advice and services to farmers on various aspects to enhance productivity of crops/animals and increase the incomes of farmers. Agri-Clinics provide support in the following areas:
- Soil health
- Cropping practices
- Plant protection
- Crop insurance
- Post-harvest technology
- Clinical services for animals, feed and fodder management
- Prices of various crops in the market, etc.
Agri-Business Centres
Agri-Business Centres are commercial units of agri-ventures 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, including post-harvest management and market linkages for income generation and entrepreneurship development.
The scheme covers full financial support for training and handholding, provision of loan and credit-linked back ended composite subsidy.
Subsidy
Ceiling of project cost for subsidy is Rs. 20 lakh for an individual project (25 lakh in case of extremely successful individual projects) and up to Rs. 100 lakh for a group project (Established by a group comprising at least 5 trained persons under the scheme).
Time limit for completion of the project
1.Time limit for completion of the project would be as envisaged under the project, subject to maximum of 6 months period from the date of disbursement of the first instalment of loan by financial institution, which may be extended by a further period of 6 months, if reasons for such delay are considered justifiable by the financial institution concerned.
2.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