AGRICLINIC AND AGRIBUSINESS CENTRES SCHEME (ACABC)

  • PURPOSE: For setting up of:
    • a. Agri-clinics to provide expert advice and services to farmers
    • b. Agri.-business centres to provide input supply, farm equipment on hire and other services.
  • ELIGIBILITY: The scheme is open to following group of candidates of age group 18-60 years:
    • a. Graduates in agriculture and allied subjects from State Agricultural Universities (SAU)s/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.
    • b. 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.
    • c. Post-Graduation in Agriculture & allied subjects.
    • d. Degree holders in courses recognized by UGC having more than 60 percent of the course content in Agriculture and allied subjects.
    • e. 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.
    • f. Agriculture related courses at intermediate (i.e. plus two) level, with at least 55% marks.
  • EXTENT OF LOAN: Need based depending on financial viability and technical feasibility.
  • PROJECT COST CEILING FOR SUBSIDY: Ceiling for project cost for subsidy is as under:
    • Project by Individual – Rs.20 lakh (Rs 25 lakh in case of extremely successful individual projects)
    • Project in Group – Rs.100 lakh (Minimum of Five Individuals)
  • REPAYMENT: Repayment period will depend on the nature of activity and will vary between 5 to 10 years. The repayment period may include a maximum grace period of 2 years (to be decided as per needs of individual projects).
    • Repayable in monthly /quarterly, half yearly or yearly installments depending upon income generation from project (as prescribed in respective credit schemes)
  • Composite subsidy– back ended @ 36% of capital cost of project funded through Bank Loan (44% for women, SC/ST, Other disadvantaged sections/NE & Hilly states.