Agri-Clinics And Agri-Business Centres Scheme
NABARD-backed loan + subsidy for agri-clinics · agriculture graduates · nationwide
Agri-Clinics and Agri-Business Centres (AC&ABC) scheme helps agriculture graduates start their own agri-based businesses — advisory clinics for farmers, or agri-input/processing businesses. Government provides subsidised loans and training to get started.
About This Scheme
Agri-Clinics and Agri-Business Centres (AC&ABC) scheme helps agriculture graduates start their own agri-based businesses — advisory clinics for farmers, or agri-input/processing businesses. Government provides subsidised loans and training to get started.
Full official description
A welfare scheme by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare was launched in 2002. AC&ABC aims at agricultural development by supplementing the efforts of public extension by providing extension and other services to farmers either on a payment basis or free of cost as per the business model of agri-preneur, local needs, and affordability of the target group of farmers. AC&ABC creates gainful self-employment opportunities for unemployed agricultural graduates, agricultural diploma holders, intermediate in agriculture, and biological science graduates with PG in agri-related courses.
NABARD is acting as a subsidy channelizing agency for this scheme.
Committed to this program, 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, Fisheries, etc. Those completing the training can apply for special start-up loans for ventures.
Benefits
- Subsidised bank loan for setting up an Agri-Clinic or Agri-Business Centre
- Training provided (45 days) before you start, fully funded
- Loan subsidy: 36% for general (44% for SC/ST/Women) of total project cost as back-ended subsidy
- Purpose: Soil testing, pest management, plant protection, input supply, cold storage, processing units
💡 Why Startups Should Care
Agri-Clinics are a largely untapped niche — rural farmers pay for good agronomic advice and soil testing, and there's no Amazon competing with you. NABARD's composite loan with back-ended subsidy means you get subsidized capital to set up equipment and workspace, while the captive rural market is yours to serve.
Who Can Apply (Eligibility)
Agriculture graduates (BSc/MSc/PhD in agriculture or allied sciences), aged 18–60. Diploma holders from SAUs with 55%+ marks are also eligible. Applicants must complete the mandatory training programme.
Exclusions
Retired Employees Getting Pensionary Benefits Are Not Eligible For Subsidy. However, They Can Undergo Training And Establish Self Financed Projects.
How to Apply
- Visit acabcmis.gov.in/ApplicantReg.aspx and register with your Aadhaar, email, educational qualification, and bank account details.
- Upload your photo and complete the registration.
- After registration, attend a 45-day Agri-Preneurs Training Programme conducted by accredited training centres.
- Upon completing training, apply for a bank loan from participating banks (NABARD provides refinance and back-ended subsidy).
- Set up your Agri-Clinic or Agri-Business Centre and claim the subsidy after establishment.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is a crop loan per acre?
DBT will be given at the rate of Rs 4,000 per acre per season for cropping while zero-interest loan will be at the rate of Rs 50,000 per hectare to be capped at Rs 1 lakh per farmer, sources told BusinessToday.In. The crop loan is already offered to farmers at a subsidized rate of 4 percent only.
What is the lock in period for bank loans?
A beneficiary cannot close the bank loans within three years from the date of availing loans.
What is the subsidy pattern?
The subsidy is 36% of the Total Financial Outlay (TFO) for General Category candidates and 44% for Women, SC/ST/NE and Hilly State Candidates.
Is there any other condition for eligibility?
Yes, retired employees getting pensionary benefits are not eligible for subsidy. However, they can undergo training and establish self financed projects.
Is there any upper ceiling for the project cost?
Yes, the upper ceiling for the project cost eligible for subsidy is Rs. 20 Lakhs for individual projects and Rs. 100 Lakh for group projects. For extremely successful individual projects the ceiling is Rs. 25 Lakh.
Can the candidates undertake group projects?
Yes, the candidates are allowed to undertake group projects, if the group consists of a total of five or more persons trained under the scheme.
What will happen if the project is not completed?
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.
What is the duration of the training?
45 days of residential training for the students who are desirous of setting up agri-clinics and agri-business centers.
Ready to apply?
Visit the official government portal to apply for this scheme.
Apply on myScheme.gov.inDocuments Required
- Aadhaar number
- Email ID
- Latest educational qualification certificate
- Applicant's bank account details
- Passport-size photograph