Better Farming by Every Farmer
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 farmer across the country through a large pool of available agriculture professionals. The scheme of ACAB aims to supplement efforts of public extension by providing extension and other services to the farmers on payment basis or free of cost as per business model of agri-entrepreneurs, local needs and affordability of target group of farmers, and to support agricultural development;
This programme aims to tap the expertise available in the large pool of Agriculture Graduates. Irrespective of whether a fresh graduate or not, or whether currently employed or not, set up own Agri-Clinic or Agri-Business 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, Forestry, Dairy, Poultry Farming, and Fisheries, etc. Those completing the training can apply for special start-up loans for venture
Agri-Clinics: Agri-Clinics are envisaged to provide expert advice and services to farmers on various technologies including soil health, cropping practices, plant protection, crop insurance, postharvest technology and clinical services for animals, feed and fodder management, prices of various crops in the market etc. which would enhance productivity of crops/animals and ensure increased income to farmers.
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 and to create gainful self-employment opportunities to unemployed agricultural graduates, agricultural diploma holders, intermediate in agriculture and biological science graduates with PG in agri-related courses, establishing linkages for income generation and entrepreneurship development.
National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management (MANAGE) is responsible for providing training to eligible candidates, through Nodal Training Institutes (NTIs) and motivating them for setting up of Agri- Clinics and Agri-Business Centres. Students Relief Society (SRS ITI) has now been identifies its new Nodal Training Institute in Chittorgarh District Rajasthan State.
INDICATIVE LIST OF AGRI VENTURES UNDER ACABC SCHEME
Note: The above activities are indicative in nature. Any other activity In agriculture, horticulture, sericulture, animal husbandry, fisheries, allied sectors or combination of two or more of the above activities selected by the candidates, which, generate income to the agripreneur and render extension services to the farmers will also be eligible under the scheme.
Eligibility: The details of Eligible Courses for selection under Agri-clinics and Agribusiness Scheme are as follows:
| M.Sc. | Agriculture/ Ag. Engineering / Ag. Marketing/ Animal Husbandry / Biotechnology/ Dairy Technology/ Fisheries/ Food and Nutrition/ Food Technology/ Forestry/ Home Science/ Horticulture/ Ag. Management/ Marine Biology/ Microbiology/ Rural Science/ Seed Technology/ Sericulture |
| B.Sc. | |
| Diploma | |
| Agriculture Intermidiate(10+2) | |
| 2 year Certificate |
This programme aims to tap the expertise available in the large pool of Agriculture Graduates. Irrespective of whether She/ He is a fresh graduate or not, or whether currently employed or not, they can set up their own Agri-Clinic or Agri-Business Centre and offer professional extension services to innumerable farmers.
The 60-day residential course at Chittorgarh (Rajasthan) is free of cost:
After successful completion of training programme bank loans are available for opening Agri-clinics and Agribusiness Centres. Ceiling of project cost for subsidy is Rs.20 lakhs for an individual project (25 lakhs in case of extremely successful individual projects) and to Rs.100 lakhs for a group project. Depending on the type of venture candidate want to set up, and with a moratorium of up to 2 years, Agri-clinics and Agribusiness Centre Loans can be repaid within 5 to 10 years as per easy instalment plans. The rate of interest, margin and security on loans will be decided by the respective bank, as per RBI norms.
NOTE: The training course mentioned above is not a guarantee for availing of the loan. Sanctioning of the loan would be on the basis of the techno-economic viability of your project.
How training at S. R. Society (SRSITI) premises will help:
SRS has been a major player for rural livelihoods promotion through integrating natural resource management with few national and international agriculture development initiatives. Today SRS is working with 30000 farmers on agriculture transformation through Good Agriculture Practices in 300 plus villages across Rajasthan on the motto of “Livelihood promotion” – “Sensible Farmer Responsible Farming”. SRS therefore, after successful completion of the 2-month residential training programme, promises much more as stated under;