Start a Government Agri Clinics and Agri Business Centres

 (99) Start a Government Agri Clinics and Agri Business Centres

 
The Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India, in association with NABARD and MANAGE has launched this unique scheme to take better methods of farming to each and every farmer across the country. This programme aims to tap the expertise available in the large pool of Agriculture Graduates. Irrespective of whether you are a fresh graduate or not, or whether you are currently employed or not, you can set up your own AgriClinic or AgriBusiness 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

 Objectives

·  To supplement the efforts of government extension system

·  To make available supplementary sources of input supply and services to needy farmers

·  To provide gainful employment to agriculture graduates in new emerging areas in agricultural sector.

Concepts

Agriclinics : Agriclinics are envisaged to provide expert services and advice to farmers on cropping practices, technology dissemination, crop protection from pests & diseases, market trends and prices of various crops in the markets and also clinical services for animal health etc. which would enhance productivity of crops / animals.
Agribusiness Centres : Agribusiness Centres are envisaged to provide input supply, farm equipments on hire and other services.
In order to enhance viability of the ventures, Agriculture Graduates may also take up in agriculture and allied areas alongwith the Agriclinics/ Agribusiness Centres

Eligibility

The scheme is open to Agriculture Graduates/Graduates in subjects allied to agriculture like horticulture, animal husbandry, forestry, dairy, veterinary, poultry farming, pisciculture and other allied activities.

Educational qualifications required for selection under Agriclinics and Agribusiness scheme  

Project activities

• Soil and water quality cum inputs testing laboratories (with Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometers)
• Pest surveillance, diagnostic and control services
• aintenance, repairs and custom hiring of agricultural implements and machinery including micro irrigation systems (sprinkler and drip)
• Agri Service Centres including the three activities mentioned above (Group Activity).
• Seed Processing Units
• Micro-propagation through Plant Tissue Culture Labs and Hardening Units
• Setting up of Vermiculture units, production of bio-fertilisers, bio-pesticides, bio-control agents.
• Setting up of Apiaries (bee-keeping) and honey & bee products' processing units
• rovision of Extension Consultancy Services
• Hatcheries and production of fish finger-lings for aquaculture
• Provision of livestock health cover, setting up veterinary dispensaries & services including frozen semen banks and liquid nitrogen supply
• Setting up of Information Technology Kiosks in rural areas for access to various agriculture related portals
• Feed Processing and testing units
• Value Addition Centres
•  Setting up of Cool Chain fro the farm level onwards (Group Activity)
• Retail marketing outlets for processed agri-products
• Rural marketing dealerships of farm inputs and outputs

Any combination of two or more of the above viable activities alongwith any other economically viable activity selected by the Graduates, which is acceptable to the Bank

Project cost & coverage

The project can be taken up by Agriculture Graduates either individually or on joint / group basis. The outer ceiling for the cost of project by individual would be Rs.10 lakh and for the project by group would be Rs.50 lakh. The group may normally be of 5, of which one could be management graduate with qualification or experience in business development and management.

Margin Money (Down Payment) : As per the RBI norms.

i) Upto Rs.10,000/-	No Margin
ii) Over Rs.10,000/-	15% to 25% of project cost

Rate of Interest :
The details of the rate of interest to be charged by the financing bank to the ultimate beneficiary are given below:

Rate of interest to ultimate beneficiary
Commercial Banks	Regional Rural Banks	Cooperative Banks
Upto Rs.25,000/-	As determined by the bank subject to max. of PLR of the bank	As determined by the bank	As determined by the SCB subject to minimum of 12%
Above Rs.25,000/- upto Rs.2 lakh	Do	Do	Do
Above Rs.2 lakh	As determined by the bank	Do	Do

Repayment : 
The period of loan will vary between 5 years to 10 years depending on the activity. The repayment period may include a grace period (to be decided by the financing bank as per the individual scheme) of a maximum of 2 years.
 

Selection of Borrowers : 
The selection of borrowers and location of the projects may be done by the banks in consultation with Agricultural Universities / KVKs/Agriculture department of the state etc. in their area of operations, if necessary.

Earn money and prestige by becoming a consultant to farmers

Agribusiness Centres would provide paid services for enhancement of agriculture production  and income of farmers. Centres would need to advice farmers on crop selection, best farm practices, post-harvest value-added options, key agricultural information (including perhaps even Internet-based weather forecast), price trends, market news, risk mitigation and crop insurance, credit and input access, as well as critical sanitary and phyto-sanitary considerations, which the farmers have to keep in mind.

Free Training to set up your Agriclinic or Agribusiness Centre

As an integral part of this nationwide initiative, specialised training will be provided to Agriculture Graduates interested in setting up such a centre. Being provided free of cost, the 2-month training course will be offered by select institutes across the country. Initiated by SFAC, and co-ordinated by MANAGE, the course comprises Entrepreneurship and Business Management, as well as skill improvement modules in your chosen areas of activity.

Bank loans available for Agriclinics and Agribusiness Centres

An individual or a group of individuals*** is eligible for availing of these loans. The outer ceiling for the cost of projects by individuals is Rs.10 lakhs, pro-rata.

Depending on the type of venture you want to set up, and with a moratorium of up to 2 years, Agriclinics and Agribusiness Centre Loans can be repaid within 5 to 10 years as per easy installment plans. The rate of interest, margin and security on loans will be decided by the respective bank, as per RBI norms.

Depending on your entitlement, you can even apply for margin money assistance.