WORM'S-EYE VIEW ON ‘AGRICLINICS AND AGRIBUSINESS CENTRES SCHEME’ (ACABC) OVER A DECADE IN CONTEXT TO MADHYA PRADESH, INDIA

Deepak Pal1*, Laveena Sharma2

1Department of Management Studies, AKS University, Satna, Madhya Pradesh, India

2Jawahar R-ABI, Jawaharlal Nehru Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, India

*Corresponding Author’s Email: deepakpal2010@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

Six decades ago, Mahatma Gandhi observed, "Agriculture as the backbone of the Indian economy." The scenario is still the same now with agriculture, which is the mainstay of the communities supporting practically the whole economy. It accounts for around 52 per cent of the Indian population's employment and generates 16 per cent of the country's overall GDP. The rapid growth of agriculture is necessary not just for self-sufficiency but also to earn crucial foreign exchange.

Despite the fact that millions of farmers are marginal and small, Indian farmers are unrivalled in terms of production and productivity. They are just as quick to accept improved agricultural technologies as farmers in rich countries. It is believed that by providing timely and enough inputs such as fertilisers, seeds, and pesticides, as well as making reasonable agricultural loans and crop insurance available, Indian farmers will secure the nation's food and nutritional security. As a result, on April 9, 2002, the ‘Agri-Clinics and Agri-Business Centres' plan was created to increase technology transfer and extension services, as well as provide self- employment opportunities to technically skilled people. Herein after, we imagined the state of Madhya Pradesh from a worm's-eye perspective, which is a view of a scheme from below, as if the observer were a worm; it can be used to make an object appear big, strong, and mighty while the viewer feels childish or helpless. So, we here go through the actual facts by covering about the scheme, NTIs, trained candidates & venture established.

Keywords: ACABC; NTI; Agricultural Graduate; Agri-Ventures

INTRODUCTION

In 2017, India's agricultural situation was strong in the context of global economic scenarios, and the country's agricultural prognosis appears to be improving. The current challenge facing Indian agriculture is a tangled policy and regulatory framework for plugging loopholes in the farm-input side, while also addressing market imperfections on the farm-produce side, so that resources spent on agricultural development contribute to farmers' welfare and prosperity (Kushwaha, 2015). This might place the country on a more sustainable agricultural development path in terms of three dimensions: financial, social, and ecological. Farmers initial policies, rather than the limited agricultural output variable oriented approach used previously, are causing a paradigm change in agricultural growth. Farmers' welfare became a key feature of agricultural development after the Ministry of Agriculture was renamed as the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, and a particular policy drive was launched to quadruple the income of farmers by the year 2022.

Sectoral Growth of the Agriculture:

The development in agricultural in terms of Gross Value Added (GVA) at basic prices experienced substantial instability from 2012-13 onwards, according to new series estimates using a base year of 2011-12. Following a peak of 5.6 per cent in 2013-14, agricultural GVA growth rates fell sharply to (-) 0.2 per cent and (-) 0.6 per cent in 2014-15 and 2015-16, respectively. This poor result was primarily due to two successive years of minimal rainfall. The tendency in growth was reversed in 2016-17, with increased output, thanks to a beneficial monsoon and prompt governmental measures. According to the first updated projections for 2016-17, agriculture and allied sector GVA is expected to expand by 6.3 per cent to Rs. 17.17 lakh crore in 2016-17 from Rs. 16.15 lakh crore in 2015-16.

According to the second advance estimates, the agriculture and associated sector grew by 3.0 per cent in 2017-18, compared to a 6.4 per cent overall growth in GVA (Table 1). A poor growth in agriculture in 2017-18 is mostly due to decreased increase in food grain production, which accounts for around 59 per cent of GVA in the 'agriculture, forestry, and fishery' sector (including fruits and vegetables). Food grain output increased by only 0.9 per cent in 2017-18, compared to 9.4 per cent in 2016-17, owing to poor base year production. In contrast, the forestry, livestock, and fisheries sector, which accounts for roughly 41 per cent of the agriculture and associated sector's GVA, is predicted to rise by around 5.1 per cent in 2017-18.

Agriculture as State Subject Matters:

According to the most recent state-by-state GVA estimates for 2016-17, the rate of growth and relative percentage of agricultural and associated sectors at the state level differs from that at the national level. While agricultural and associated sectors remain approximately 18 per cent of GDP (at current prices) at the national level, agriculture is anticipated to account for a substantially bigger share of GSVA in a number of states. According to Table 2, 8 states had a share of agriculture and allied sector in the GSVA of more than 20 per cent in 2016-17, whereas 16 states had a proportion of agriculture and allied sector in the GSVA of less than 20 per cent in 2016-17.

Table 1: Proportion of Agriculture and Related Activities in GSVA during 2016-17 (at Current Prices) in States

Origin of Agri-Clinics and Agri-Business Centres’ Scheme:

To strengthen extension services even more, the Indian government established a direction- finding committee on agriculture and associated sectors, chaired by Prof. M.S. Swaminathan, to tap into the untapped potential of jobless graduates and offer them with service opportunities by transforming them into agripreneurs.

Following that, in his budget statement on February 28, 2001, the Union Finance Minister publicized a scheme for agriculture graduates to build up ‘Agri-Clinics and Agri-Business Centers’ with the help of the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD). On April 9, 2002, the ‘Agri-Clinics and Agri-Business Centres’ scheme was created to improve technology transfer and extension services, as well as give self-employment options for technically skilled people (refer to table 2). Agriculture graduates/graduates in related fields such as animal husbandry, horticulture, veterinary, dairy, poultry farming, forestry, and fish culture are eligible for the programme. The initiative was created to increase chances for private extension to reduce reliance on government funding, provide a broader range of advice in specialised parts, and promote an agripreneurship eco-system for agricultural graduates. The Government of India's Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, in collaboration with NABARD, has come up with an exclusive campaign to provide better agricultural methods to every farmer in the country.

The goal of this campaign is to tap into the expertise of the enormous pool of graduates in the domain of agriculture. Whether you are a recent graduate or not, whether you are employed or not, you can open your own agri-clinics and agri-business centers and provide professional services to a wide range of farmers. As part of this initiative, the government is currently offering start-up training to graduates in agriculture and related fields such as sericulture, horticulture, veterinary, forestry, sciences, dairy, fisheries, and poultry farming among others. Those who complete the training can apply for special venture start-up loans (see below figure 1).

Figure 1: No. of Trained Candidates / No. of Establishment Ventures

Table 2: Agri-Clinics and Agri-Business Centres Scheme: A Grid View

Purpose of the Study

Keeping in mind important circumstances, the study is moved around the NTIs districts of Madhya Pradesh with the objective of putting some light on status of this scheme which already completed a decade for agricultural development since 2002 in state of MP. Here, the term ‘status’ implies a lot of fact about the scheme like common aspects of training programme under the agri-clinics and Agri-Business Centres scheme, progress and performance of NTIs under ACABC scheme, banking support under ACABC scheme likewise and the comparative tables are self-explanatory in nature in order to understand ‘where our state (M.P.) stands?’ at a glance. This research paper contains a gospel message of showcasing the potentiality of this scheme.

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

The entire paper studied several components, and these components will be separated for the fulfillment of specific objective. The study is based on analysis with the blend of primary and secondary data collected from various mediums. To satisfy the aims of the analysis, multiple types of data bases were used to interpret the performance of Agri-Clinics and Agri-Business Centres. The necessary data was gathered from both primary and secondary sources. The primary data was gathered from candidates who had completed the training programme and were successful agripreneurs, and the secondary data was obtained from the departments and official websites of the Ministry of Agriculture, Directorate of Extension, NABARD, MANAGE, and other institutions such as NTIs involved in the scheme's management, as well as published information such as books and journals. The information was gathered, evaluated, and interpreted using simple methods to come up with a conclusion and recommendations.

Objectives of Agri-Clinics and Agri-Business Centres Scheme:

Agri-Clinics and Agri-Business Centres are emerging as significant platforms for agri graduates in the agricultural sector from a sustainability standpoint, with government support, to achieve goals such as acclimating extension functionaries to entrepreneurship growth among farmers to advance their socio-economic status. This programme also encourages and fulfils the desire for agribusiness and agriculture among agricultural and allied graduates and the agri- community to benefit from economic opportunities. Agri-Clinics and Agri-Business Centres (ACABC) provide agricultural consultancy services to farmers through technically qualified agricultural graduates, known as agripreneurs, who work at the village level (Kaur & Kaur, 2018). NABARD offers a combined subsidy to trained applicants in rural regions who want to open Agri-Clinics and Agri-Business Centers. The pattern for subsidy is composite in nature and will be back ended. Women, SC/ST, and all other categories of candidates from the NE and hill states will receive 44 per cent of the project cost, while all other unreserved applicants will receive 33 per cent. Farmers identified a need for locally available, dependable, effective, and qualified third-party counsel, which led to the creation of the ACABC programme (Bairwa et al. 2017a). The program's goals are to enhance the public extension system, increase farmer access to supplies and services, and provide job opportunities for agriculture graduates (Glendenning, Asenso-Okyere & Babu, 2011); (Sajesh & Suresh, 2016). This service attempts to address a gap in the public-sector extension system, where the input dealer currently plays a key role in guiding input use. Since 2002, the programme has been open to agricultural graduates from all throughout the country (Karjagi et al., 2009). Depending on the benefits of the graduates, the centres can provide a wide range of services, including water quality, soil and input testing laboratories, vermin composting units, plant protection services, veterinary clinics, horticulture, and agro service centres for primary and farm machinery processing (Kalita, 2014). These centres will offer a package of input facilities, consulting, and other services with the goal of enhancing technology transfer and extension services while also providing agricultural graduates with self-employment options (Chahal & Ponnusamy, 2014). Agri-Clinics and Agri-Business Centres are essential tools for creating jobs as well as opportunities for rural India's development. This initiative also aids the country's fight against hunger, poverty, malnutrition, and unemployment by providing rural communities with job possibilities and income sources (Bairwa et al., 2017b). This initiative is popular and effective means of generating money and employment in India's rural areas. As a result, this programme attempts to tap on the country's vast experience in the form of a big pool of agricultural graduates. The concept allows anyone, whether a recent graduate or not, to create their own agribusiness and supply services to a huge number of farmers (Kanwat et al., 2011; Shekara & Durga, 2007). The goal of the project is to improve the existing extension network to speed up the technology transfer process and give extra input and services to large farmers who previously relied on government agencies. As a result, the key goals of this plan are as follows:

• To supplement public extension efforts by offering extension and other services to farmers on a fee-for-service or free-of-charge basis, depending on the agri-business preneur's model, local needs, and the affordability of the farmers’ target group.

• To aid the growth of agriculture.

• To provide jobless agricultural intermediate, diploma holders, graduates, and biological science graduates with a PG in agriculture related courses with lucrative self- employment options.

  
  

  Agri-Clinics and Agri-Business Centres Scheme Training: Duration, Training Curriculum, Fees/Charges & Mode of Application:

  This training program was of 60 days (2 months) duration from the launching to mid-2019. For the betterment of this scheme a decision to reduce the training duration from existing 60 days to 45 days was taken in reference to the order No. F.No.1(4)/2015-EM/56 of MoA&FW Dated: 05 August 2019. Presently, the training duration for the scheme is 45 days even without compromising with objective of the scheme. In compliance to above, the course curriculum has been suitably revised on following major counts:

• Duration is reduced from 60 days to 45 days.

• Requisite focus is given to allied sector activities like horticulture, animal husbandry, dairying, fisheries, beekeeping etc.

• Requisite weightage is given to developing entrepreneurial and management skills with commencement of hands of training.

Revised training curriculum under Agri-Clinics and Agri-Business Centers (ACABC) Scheme on major subject areas, days & parentage wise are as mentioned below in table 3:

Table 3: Agri-Clinics and Agri-Business Centres Scheme training: Duration, Training Curriculum, Fees/Charges & Mode of Application

As such there is no fee for the training program, all the cost toward this training at NTI for food, accommodation and other training cost is borne by Govt. Although there is provision for one meal (lunch only) and no accommodation for day-scholars. On the name’s sake of fee, there is need of demand draft (DD) of Rs. 500.00 payable to MANAGE, Hyderabad after the final selection of participants and there is centralized online system for applying to the scheme developed and managed by MANAGE, Hyderabad.

Mode of Operation of ACABC Scheme:

The National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management (MANAGE) will oversee teaching and inspiring appropriate individuals to establish Agri-Clinics and Agri-Business Centres through Nodal Training Institutes (NTIs).

Project Cost Ceiling:

Individual projects can cost up to Rs. 20 lakhs (up to Rs. 25 lakhs in the case of exceptionally successful individual initiatives) and group projects can cost up to Rs. 100 lakhs (established by a group comprising at least 5 trained persons under the scheme).

RESULT & DISCUSSION

Need and Significance of the Research:

There are 64 state agricultural universities, 15 national research centres, 694 KVKs, 4 deemed universities, 3 central agricultural institutions, and several other agricultural development organisations around the country. As a result, India has a huge pool of competent workers and an agricultural training platform that can be effectively employed to meet the goals of the farming community. MP has two agricultural universities, 52 KVKs, and numerous additional agricultural development agencies among the training institutes operating in India. Madhya Pradesh has a few characteristics that make it desirable and advantageous for business development, including a large population, a diverse range of field production, a variety of climates, and the availability of raw materials. However, this strategy is encountering opposition, has not totally met its aims, and is still in need of sufficient support and attention to grow across the country. In Madhya Pradesh, 18 Agri-Clinics and Agri-Business Training Centres have been recognised, however empanelment dates vary. Because of the actual depiction of the state's performance for the scheme and where it stands now, there is a need for research on the above-mentioned title.

Status of Nodal Training Institute (ACABC) in Madhya Pradesh

Esoteric training will be provided to agriculture graduates interested in starting such a business as part of this countrywide programme. The 2-month (Training time will be reduced by 45 days from October 2019 onward) training course will be provided free of charge by various institutes around the country. The course includes skill improvement, as well as entrepreneurship and business management modules in your selected fields of activity and was started by SFAC and coordinated by MANAGE. The Nodal Training Institute will conduct training and handholding activities under the Agri-Clinics and Agri-Business Centres Scheme in accordance with ACABC and MANAGE principles. The NTI would offer a pre-determined number of MANAGE training programmes in a calendar year (figure 2). Meetings of the Common Screening Committee may be held. However, to acquire continued programming in the next year, a pre-determined success rate must be met. NTI gives higher weight to ventures that were started with bank financing to continue the next programme (refer to table 4 - table 7).

Table 4: NTIs in Madhya Pradesh

Table 5: Showing Number of Training Programme Completed and Venture Established under ACABC Scheme NTI Wise of Madhya Pradesh

Table 6: States Statement Showing Number of Trained Candidates & Ventures Established

Table 7: Showing Number of Trained Candidates & No. of Ventures Established in in Madhya Pradesh (Division & District Wise)

Figure 2: Infograph Showing Number of Ventures Established under ACABC Scheme in Madhya Pradesh (Division & District Wise)

Before we wrap up our piece, we'd like to draw readers' attention to the headline of Money Control's News, which reads, "For the first time in India's documented statistical history, all eight GDP segments, excluding agriculture, have witnessed major decline in the April-June quarter of 2020." Agriculture, forestry, and fisheries grew by 3.4 per cent in the first quarter of 2020, compared to 3.0 per cent a year before (India GDP Data HIGHLIGHTS | Q1FY21 GDP at -23.9%, worst contraction on record, 2020).

Despite the bleak outlook, one sector - agriculture - has emerged as the single ray of light for the future. The agriculture sector saw a 3.4% increase in GDP. India's GDP might have fallen even further if it hadn't been for a strong performance in the agricultural sector. "The only positive element in the GDP print is positive agricultural output," remarks Nish Bhatt, Founder & CEO of Millwood Kane International.

CONCLUSION

So doubtlessly, this initiative is a popular and effective means of generating wealth and employment in India's rural communities. As a result, this developmental perspective to tap on the country's vast experience of a big pool of agricultural graduates. Regardless of whether a person is a recent graduate or not, and whether they are currently employed, the scheme allows them to start their own agribusiness and supply services to a huge number of farmers. The goal of the project is to improve the existing extension network to speed up the technology transfer process and give extra input and services to large farmers who have traditionally relied on government agencies. Thus, this study has findings as mentioned. Madhya Pradesh is Rank 7th out of 32 rest states for establishing the ventures after training. At a glance this is very satisfactory, but actuality is far away from it because the volume wise top two states have 46.43% & 53.36% contribution at national level for trained candidates and the venture established by them respectively. i.e., rest of 30 states/ UT of India have contribution at national level for trained candidates and the venture established is rest 50% approx. The Madhya Pradesh’s status at state level is 5.2% of the candidates trained & 4.7% for the venture established in respect to the total candidate at national level & the percentage for total trained and total ventured established in Madhya Pradesh is 37.34%. The percentage of national average of candidates trained & ventured established is 3.1% for both cases & The Madhya Pradesh’s individual growth for both the cases is just above the national average percentage. So, we conclude it as, state of Madhya Pradesh has lots of potential for ACABC scheme & cosmetics changes in strategy to make it more effective.

Conflict of Interests

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interests.

Acknowledgement

The authors are thankful to the institutional authority for completion of the work.

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