Impact Study on Agricultural Extension Services to Farmers by Agri Clinics and Agri Business Centres (ACABCs) Scheme in Uttar Pradesh

摘要

The scheme of agri clinics and agri business centres (ACABCs) was launched on 9th April, 2002 under the Central Sector Scheme provision with the main objectives: (1) to provide extension and other services to farmers on payment basis, (2) to support agricultural development and (3) to create self employment opportunities to unemployed agriculture graduates. These objectives were to be fulfilled by facilitating agricultural graduates to set-up agri ventures for delivering value added extension services and advices to farmers besides giving self-employment opportunities to agripreneurs. National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management (MANAGE) is the sole Nodal Implementing Agency responsible for training these agricultural professionals and offering hand holding support to establish agri ventures in partnership with more than 100 Nodal Training Institutions (NTIs) scattered across the country. The agripreneurs trained under ACABC scheme become eligible for start-up loans from the scheduled banks and the subsidy from the NABARD. The agricultural Technology Management Agencies (ATMAs) at district level are mandated to make use of the services of established agripreneurs in providing value added extension services to farmers on the public and private partnership mode.