NABARD holds workshop in Palampur to highlight benefits of its agri-clinics, agri-business centres

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112 ventures already set up in Himachal Pradesh

Palampur: To empower agricultural graduates and strengthen rural economies, NABARD organised a district-level workshop on the Agri-Clinics and Agri-Business Centres (ACABC) Scheme at Palampur on Monday (January 13, 2024).
The event highlighted the scheme’s transformative impact in Himachal Pradesh where 431 individuals have been trained, leading to the establishment of 112 successful agri-business ventures since the inception of the scheme.
The ACABC scheme, jointly implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, NABARD and MANAGE, Hyderabad, aims to promote self-employment among agricultural graduates by supporting them in setting up agribusiness ventures.
The workshop, attended by key stakeholders such as Nodal Training Institute situated in CSK HPKV, PNB-RSETI, Kangra, ATMA, Kangra, various bankers from UCO Bank, HPGB, KCCB, IndusInd Bank, etc, as well as local agri-preneurs, underscored the critical role of the ACABC scheme in promoting self-employment and innovation in agriculture.

Key benefits of ACABC scheme:

  • Free 45-day residential training on agribusiness skills.
  • Credit-linked back-ended subsidy: Up to 44% for women, SC/ST candidates and hilly regions, and 36% for others.
  • Age limit: 18-60 years.
  • No Margin money requirement up to Rs 5 lakh project cost.
  • No collateral security requirement for a loan up to Rs 10 lakh.
  • Support for diverse ventures such as veterinary clinics, soil testing labs, farm machinery rentals, beekeeping, organic input production, agri-tourism and food processing.

Voices from the workshop:

Dr Suman Kumar, Nodal Officer, ACABC, Kangra, said that the Agri-Clinics and Agri-Business Centers (ACABC) scheme is designed to support agriculture graduates in establishing their own agribusiness ventures.
To be eligible for the ACABC scheme, applicants must hold a degree in agriculture or a related field from a recognised institution.
Garima, Director, PNB-RSETI, emphasised, “The ACABC scheme is not just a livelihood generator but a catalyst for rural transformation. Each trained agripreneur contributes to the region’s agricultural productivity and sustainability.”
Himanshu Sahu, District Development Manager, NABARD, Kangra, emphasised that the ACABC Scheme is part of NABARD’s broader efforts to empower agripreneurs and transform rural livelihoods.
Highlighting NABARD’s extensive portfolio of schemes, he stressed the importance of collective action through Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), supported under NABARD’s Formation and Promotion of FPOs scheme, which offers grant support for capacity building.
To further support agripreneurs, the DDM underscored NABARD’s partnerships with RSETIs and SHG networks, which provide practical training and marketing linkages.
He also vouched upon schemes like the Agriculture Marketing Infrastructure (AMI) for storage and grading facilities and the NABSKILL portal, connecting rural youth with skilling and entrepreneurial opportunities.
Participants were inspired by success stories of agripreneurs across India, who have leveraged NABARD’s comprehensive support system to establish profitable ventures, and were encouraged to harness these schemes for their own growth and contribution to Kangra’s rural economy.
Tilak Raj Dogra, LDM, Kangra, called on banks to extend greater support, stating, “By streamlining loan processes for agripreneurs, we can further accelerate the adoption of innovative solutions in agriculture.”
Dr Raj Kumar, Project Director, ATMA highlighted the integration of the ACABC Scheme with ongoing extension activities under the ATMA (Agricultural Technology Management Agency) framework.
He emphasised that ATMA aims to ensure the effective utilisation of agripreneurs by involving them in grassroots extension services and creating opportunities for establishing at least one agri-clinic in each block annually.
“Through this initiative, we ensure that the extension services provided by trained agripreneurs significantly benefit farmers by addressing their localized challenges,” he said.
The workshop also featured discussions on streamlining credit support and simplifying processes for subsidy disbursement under the ACABC scheme. Bankers pledged to bolster the momentum by fast-tracking loans and ensuring timely subsidy transfers.

Why initiatives like ACABC matter:

Agriculture is the backbone of Kangra, and initiatives like ACABC not only create employment but also introduce cutting-edge solutions to the region’s pressing challenges.
With over 300 trained professionals under the scheme already impacting thousands of farmers, NABARD’s efforts are carving a path to rural prosperity.
Aspiring agripreneurs can join the ACABC scheme and take advantage of its comprehensive support system. For more can be accessed at https://acabc.gov.in or through the District Development Manager, NABARD, Kangra.

Sunil Chadda

Sunil Chadda

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