Kulgam, Nov 18: NABARD, in collaboration with Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) Kulgam, organised a workshop on the Central Scheme for the establishment of Agri Clinics and Agri Business Centres (ACABC) here to “empower agricultural graduates and bring services to their doorsteps”.
An official said the scheme’s goal is to support agricultural development, create gainful employment for agriculture graduates, and extend extension services to farmers.
The workshop was inaugurated by District Development Manager (DDM) NABARD Rouf Zargar, with the presence of Project Coordinator KVK Kulgam, Dr Manzoor Ganai, and Lead District Manager, Abdul Rashid, along with District Nodal officers from the Agriculture and Horticulture departments. Numerous agriculture graduates, progressive farmers, and members of various FPOs from the district participated in the programme, he added.
Rouf Zargar said the scheme aims to offer business opportunities to unemployed agricultural graduates and deliver agricultural extension services directly to farmers, addressing their local needs and affordability.
“These clinics and business centres are designed to provide expert advice and services on various technologies. The required 60-day training will be provided free of cost to applicants by the National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management (MANAGE) through Nodal Training Institutes (NTIs),” he said.
Following the training, the applicants will have access to bank loans ranging from 20 lakh to 1 crore (individual or group) to start their units, the officer informed.
“NABARD will facilitate a 36 percent subsidy for general category applicants and a 44% subsidy for applicants belonging to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes (SC/ST), and North East and Hilly states. Interested applicants can call the toll-free number 1800-425-1556 or apply online on the acabcmis.gov website,” he added.
