The Central Government’s Agri-Clinics and Agri-Business Centres (ACABC) scheme helps agriculture graduates start their own agri-enterprise. It was launched by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare in 2002 and is run with NABARD and MANAGE (National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management). Under the scheme, candidates first get 45 days of free training, then a bank loan is arranged, and a subsidy is also given on the loan.
How much loan and subsidy is given
Under this scheme, an individual enterprise can get a loan up to ₹20 lakh — the limit goes up to ₹25 lakh for an exceptionally successful venture. A group of 5 or more trained persons can get a loan up to ₹100 lakh. A subsidy is also given on the loan — 36% of the project cost for the general category and 44% for women, SC/ST and candidates from the North Eastern and Hill states. The subsidy is back-ended — the bank adjusts it after a 3-year lock-in and no interest is charged on the subsidy portion; 95,000+ youth have been trained and 42,000+ ventures started.
Who can apply
The applicant must be between 21 and 60 years of age. He or she must hold a degree, 3-year diploma or post-graduate diploma in agriculture or an allied subject — such as horticulture, veterinary science, forestry, dairy, poultry farming, fisheries or sericulture. There must be a gap of at least 1 year after completing the qualification. Serving persons and retired persons drawing a pension are not eligible for the subsidy.
What Agri-Clinics and Agri-Business Centres do
An Agri-Clinic is a unit that gives expert advice to farmers — crop care, livestock management, soil testing, post-harvest management and agricultural marketing. An Agri-Business Centre is the trading unit of an agri-venture — sale of inputs, custom hiring of farm equipment, maintenance and other services in agriculture and allied areas. During the training, candidates learn business management and technical skills, and in the last week they prepare their project report (DPR) and submit it to a bank.
How to apply
Applications are made online on the acabcmis.gov.in portal. First fill the form with an application fee of ₹500, then there is a screening and interview at the Nodal Training Institute (NTI). After selection, the 45-day residential training is completely free — lodging and boarding are also arranged under the scheme. In the last week of training, prepare the DPR and give it to the bank. The bank sanctions the loan and claims the subsidy from NABARD. Do not pay anyone for applying — the official fee is only ₹500.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: How much loan is given under the ACABC scheme?
A: Up to ₹20 lakh for an individual enterprise (₹25 lakh for an exceptionally successful venture) and up to ₹100 lakh for a group of 5 or more.
Q2: How much subsidy is given?
A: 36% of the project cost for the general category and 44% for women, SC/ST and North Eastern and Hill states candidates.
Q3: Who can apply?
A: A graduate or diploma holder in agriculture or an allied subject, aged 21–60, with at least 1 year since completing the qualification.
Q4: Where do I apply?
A: On the acabcmis.gov.in portal — fill the form with the ₹500 fee, then screening and interview at the NTI.
Useful links
- ACABC Portal: https://acabcmis.gov.in/
- Agri-Clinics and Agri-Business Centres Scheme on MyScheme: https://www.myscheme.gov.in/schemes/acandabc
- Next Action: see all 726 Central Government schemes — /english/kendra-sarkar-ki-yojnayen-2/
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