ACABC — Agri Clinics and Agri Business Centres
By NABARD
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Quick Answer
44%–50% subsidy on loans for agriculture graduates setting up agri-clinics and agri-business centres
About this subsidy
Promotes agriculture graduates and diploma holders to set up agri-clinics or agri-business centres. Subsidy: 44% for General / 50% for women, SC/ST, NE on loans up to ₹20 lakh for individual / ₹1 crore for a group of 5+. Supported by NABARD and NABCONS for training. Covers plant protection, crop advisory, input supply, testing, cold chain, rural warehousing.
Eligibility
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Subsidy providers
The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) is India's apex development bank for agriculture and the rural economy, set up by Act 61 of 1981 and opened on 5 November 1982. It is wholly owned by the Government of India and works out of Bandra Kurla Complex in…
Learn moreBenefits & Funding
- Amount
- Up to ₹1 Cr
What You Get
ACABC provides a back-ended capital subsidy of 44% (general) or 50% (women, SC/ST, North-East) on loans up to ₹20 lakh for individual ventures and up to ₹1 crore for group ventures of 5 or more trained graduates. The subsidy is non-repayable and is released after the loan account is established and partly serviced, effectively reducing the net loan burden. Supported activities include agri-clinics, agri-business centres, soil and water testing labs, plant protection services, cold chain units, rural warehouses, seed processing and input supply — giving agri-graduates a wide canvas for enterprise creation. NABARD and NABCONS also provide handholding support and training.
- Bootstrap friendly
- Yes
Timelines & Process
Applications
Rolling basis
Application Process
- 1
Complete the ACABC training programme at
Complete the ACABC training programme at a NABARD-approved institution.
You - 2
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- 5
How to apply
Four steps from draft to disbursement — one action each.
- 1
See the questions before you start
Download every question this programme's application form asks, so you can prepare your answers offline before opening the portal.
- 2
Submit on the official portal
Use the official application link and verify all details before final submission.
- 3
Follow up
Reach out 5–7 days after submitting to confirm receipt and ask about the review timeline.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible for ACABC support?
Agriculture graduates, post-graduates, diploma holders in agriculture or allied sciences (horticulture, animal husbandry, forestry, dairy, veterinary, fisheries etc.) who have completed the mandatory ACABC training programme at a NABARD-approved training institution are eligible.
What is the subsidy percentage?
The back-ended capital subsidy is 44% of the project cost for general category applicants and 50% for women, SC/ST and North-East candidates. The subsidy applies on loans up to ₹20 lakh for individual ventures and up to ₹1 crore for a group venture of 5 or more trained graduates.
What businesses can be set up under ACABC?
Eligible ventures include agri-clinics (soil testing, plant protection, crop advisory), agri-business centres (input supply stores, custom hiring of farm equipment), cold chain units, rural warehousing, seed processing, and other agri-support services.
Is the subsidy a grant or repayable?
The subsidy component is a non-repayable back-ended grant — it is released after the loan has been partly repaid and the project is established. The bank loan portion must be repaid as per normal schedule.
Is training mandatory?
Yes. Completion of the ACABC training programme at a NABARD-approved institution is mandatory before applying for a bank loan under this scheme. Training is supported by NABARD and NABCONS.
How do I find approved training institutions?
The list of NABARD-approved ACABC training institutions is available at acabc.net. Contact NABARD''s regional office or NABCONS for the current training schedule and to register for a batch.
Sources
Data on this page is compiled from official program and provider references.
