Agri-Clinic and Agri-Business Centres Scheme 2025 – Benefits, Loan & How to Apply
Learn how to apply for agricultural loans under the ACABC Scheme 2025. Get up to ₹20 lakh loan with 44% subsidy. Step-by-step guide to start your agri-business.
🔍 Introduction: Empowering India’s Future Farmers
In 2025, agriculture remains the backbone of India’s economy, yet thousands of trained agriculture graduates struggle to find relevant employment. On the other hand, rural farmers face a shortage of reliable advisory and agri-input services.
To solve both problems, the Government of India has rolled out the Agri Clinic and Agri Business Centers (ACABC) Scheme, offering agricultural loans, training, and subsidy support to aspiring agri-entrepreneurs.
If you are an agriculture graduate or diploma holder dreaming of launching your own agri-startup or consulting service, this article is your complete guide to ACABC Scheme 2025.
🌱 What is the ACABC Scheme?
Launched in 2002 by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, and implemented by NABARD and MANAGE, the Agri Clinic and Agri Business Centers Scheme aims to:
- Encourage self-employment among agri-graduates
- Support rural advisory services through Agri Clinics
- Help establish commercial agri-businesses
- Provide loan support with credit-linked subsidies
- Agricultural LoanAgricultural LoanAgricultural LoanAgricultural LoanAgricultural LoanAgricultural LoanAgricultural LoanAgricultural LoanAgricultural LoanAgricultural LoanAgricultural LoanAgricultural LoanAgricultural LoanAgricultural Loan
💰 Loan & Subsidy Benefits Under the ACABC Scheme
✅ Maximum Loan Eligibility
| Beneficiary Type | Maximum Project Cost Eligible for Subsidy |
|---|---|
| Individual | ₹20 lakh |
| Group (2+ individuals) | ₹100 lakh |
✅ Subsidy Structure (Credit-Linked Back-End Subsidy)
| Category | Subsidy % | Maximum Limit |
|---|---|---|
| General (Individual) | 36% | ₹7.2 lakh |
| SC/ST, Women, North East | 44% | ₹8.8 lakh |
| Group (General) | 36% | ₹36 lakh |
| Group (SC/ST/Women/NE) | 44% | ₹44 lakh |
✅ Interest Rate: As per RBI/Bank MCLR
✅ Collateral: No collateral up to ₹1 lakh (individuals) or ₹10 lakh (groups)
🚀 Benefits of the ACABC Scheme for Entrepreneurs
🌾 1. Start Your Own Venture in Agriculture
- Launch input supply stores, soil testing labs, custom hiring centers, or food processing units
📚 2. Free Residential Training (2 Months)
- 60-day certified training provided by MANAGE-approved Nodal Training Institutes
- Covers business planning, banking, licensing, technical training
🏦 3. Easy Loan Access via NABARD & Partner Banks
- Loan amount up to ₹20 lakh (individual), ₹100 lakh (group)
- No margin money required up to ₹5 lakh
🧾 4. Attractive Subsidy Structure
- Government subsidy reduces your loan liability significantly
- Back-ended subsidy (post-disbursement release)
👨🏫 5. Handholding & Business Support
- Post-training support from NTIs and District Agri Officers
- Marketing assistance, vendor connections, and license help
🧪 Real-Life Example
Neha Kumari, an agri-graduate from Bihar, completed her ACABC training in 2022 and opened a soil health testing clinic in her village. She received a ₹12 lakh loan from SBI and a ₹5.2 lakh subsidy under the scheme.
Her income has grown from zero to ₹60,000/month in just two years, and she now employs 4 people full-time.
🎯 Who Can Apply for the ACABC Scheme in 2025?
Eligible Beneficiaries:
- Graduates in Agriculture/Horticulture/Fisheries/Animal Husbandry
- Agriculture diploma holders (after 10+2)
- Degree holders in Agri-Engineering or Allied Sectors
- Retired agriculture officers, ex-servicemen with agri background
Ineligible:
- Non-agri background individuals
- Applicants availing similar subsidies from other schemes
📋 List of Activities Eligible for ACABC Loan & Subsidy
| Agri Clinic Services | Agri Business Ventures |
|---|---|
| Soil & water testing labs | Agri-input retail stores |
| Crop advisory & diagnostics | Seed processing & packaging units |
| Veterinary services | Cold storage & warehousing |
| Pest/disease control clinics | Custom hiring centers for farm equipment |
| Organic farming consultancy | Contract farming & rural BPOs |
✅ Over 136+ model projects are supported under ACABC guidelines (View List Here)
📝 Step-by-Step Application Process
Step 1: Register Online
- Visit www.agriclinics.net
- Choose nearby Nodal Training Institute (NTI)
- Upload documents (degree, ID proof, photo, etc.)
Step 2: Attend 60-Day Residential Training
- Training provided free of cost at NTI
- Topics include business planning, DPR, banking, etc.
Step 3: Prepare Your Business Plan (DPR)
- Mentorship provided by trainers
- Includes financial estimates, marketing plans, SWOT analysis
Step 4: Apply for Bank Loan
- Submit DPR to any scheduled commercial bank (SBI, PNB, Bank of Baroda, etc.)
- NABARD facilitates approval and subsidy linkage
Step 5: Start Your Business & Claim Subsidy
- Launch your business
- Subsidy is back-ended (after loan sanction and business start-up)
🏦 Partner Banks & Financial Institutions
Top Banks offering loans under ACABC:
- State Bank of India
- Bank of Baroda
- Punjab National Bank
- Canara Bank
- Indian Bank
- NABARD-coordinated Regional Rural Banks
📊 What’s New in ACABC Scheme in 2025?
| Feature | Before 2025 | 2025 Update |
|---|---|---|
| Training Institutes | 100+ scattered | 150+ NTIs digitized with MIS system |
| Application Process | Offline mostly | 100% digital via agriclinics.net |
| Monitoring & Feedback | Manual | Real-time MIS-based portal |
| Women Entrepreneur Support | No targeted incentives | 44% subsidy for women |
| Geo-Tagging of Units | Not mandatory | Now mandatory for all loan projects |
🖼️ Visual Suggestions
- Infographics: “ACABC Scheme: 5-Step Process”
- Chart: Loan Amount vs Subsidy by Category
- Image: Farmer working in agri clinic, youth at training center
- Video: Testimonials from successful ACABC entrepreneurs
🔗 Internal & External Links
Internal Links:
External Trusted Sources:
🙋♂️ FAQ Section (Snippet-Ready)
1. What is the maximum loan available under the ACABC scheme?
Under the Agri-Clinic and Agri-Business Centers (ACABC) Scheme, individuals can get loans up to ₹20 lakh, and groups can avail loans up to ₹100 lakh. This loan is credit-linked and eligible for a subsidy up to 44% based on category (SC/ST/Women/North East).
2. Do I need any special qualification to apply?
Yes. Only individuals with formal agricultural education—such as BSc Agriculture, Diploma in Horticulture, or Animal Husbandry—are eligible. Retired agri-officers and agri-business diploma holders may also apply.
3. What’s the duration and cost of training?
The training lasts 60 days and is free of cost. It is residential, and expenses like food and lodging are covered. Training is conducted through MANAGE-accredited Nodal Training Institutes across India.
4. How is the subsidy provided in the ACABC scheme?
The subsidy is credit-linked and back-ended, meaning it is deposited after you start the business and the bank confirms the utilization of the loan. It is credited via NABARD directly to the loan account.
5. Can women entrepreneurs benefit from this scheme?
Absolutely! Women beneficiaries are eligible for higher subsidy—44% of project cost. Plus, many NTIs provide dedicated women-only training batches with special handholding.
Last modified: July 16, 2025
