Agri-clinic and Agri-business Centre Scheme
The Ministry of Agriculture and farmers welfare, Government of India, in association with NABARD has launched a unique programme “Agri-clinic and Agri-business Centre Scheme” in 2002 to take better methods of farming to each and every farmer across the country.
The objectives of the scheme are :-
- To supplement efforts of public extension by providing extension and other services to farmers either on payment basis or free of cost as per business model of agri-preneur, local needs and affordability of target group of farmers
- To support agricultural development
- 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.
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 insurancePost-harvest technologyClinical services for animals, feed and fodder managementPrices of various crops in the market, etc.
Agri-Business Centres :-
Agri-Business Centres are commercial units of agri-ventures established by trained agriculture professionals. These 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-end composite subsidy.
List of Beneficiaries :-
- Graduates in agriculture and allied subjects from State Agriculture Universities (SAUs)/Central Agricultural Universities/Universities recognised by ICAR/UGC. Degree in Agriculture and allied subjects offered by other agencies are also considered subject to approval of Department of Agriculture & Cooperation, GoI, 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 in Agriculture and allied subjects offered by other agencies are also considered subject to approval of Department of Agriculture, Cooperation & Farmers’ Welfare, GoI on recommendation of the State Government
- Biological Science Graduates with Post Graduation in Agriculture & allied subjects
- Degree courses recognised by UGC having more than 60 percent of the course content in Agriculture and allied subjects
- Diploma/Post Graduate Diploma courses with more than 60 percent of course content in Agriculture and allied subjects, after B.Sc. with Biological Sciences, from recognised colleges and universities.
- Agriculture related courses at Intermediate (i.e. plus two) level, with at least 55% marks.
Agri-clinic and Agri-business Centre Scheme
