State Level Workshop on Agri-Clinics and Agri-Business Centres (ACABC) organised by NABARD was held at NABARD’S Conference Hall, Bungkawn, Ramhlun Road today. The General Director S.N Mallick inaugurated the occasion. On his inaugural speech, he highlighted the aims and objectives of ACABC in Mizoram for providing extension and other services to the farmers, to support agricultural development and for gainful employment opportunity among the Agriculture graduates, diploma holders, post graduate students.

Smt. Lalhmachhuani, Manager NABARD, Mizoram took the technical session with a presentation on ACABC Scheme. Smt. Lalthasangi, faculty (HRD), SAMETI also presented a paper on procedure of training and handholding. This was followed by discussion session.

Agriculture students, Veterinary Doctors, Bankers and others attended the workshop.

The objective of Agri-clinic was to provide expert advice and services which would enhance productivity and ensure increased income to farmers, besides this; the Agri-Business Centres aimed to provide commercial agri-ventures for income generation and entrepreneurship development in realms of agriculture field. Under this initiative programme, a provision has made such as credit linked composite 44 % subsidy for women, SC/ST and all categories of loan borrowers from North East Regions and 36% subsidy for all others.

The Indicative Agri-venture includes extension consultancy services, soil and water quality cum inputs testing laboratories, crop protection services, including pest surveillance, diagnostic and control services (with culture rooms, autoclaves, microscopes, ELISA Kits etc .for detection of plant pathogens including viruses, fungi, bacteria, nematodes, and insect pests), micro-propagation including plant tissue culture labs and hardening units; production, maintenance and custom hiring of agricultural implements and machinery including micro irrigation systems, seed production and processing units; vermiculture units; production of bio-fertilizers, bio-pesticides & other bio-control agents; apiaries (bee-keeping) and honey & bee products’ processing units; agricultural insurance services; agri tourism; agri journalism – film production, farm publications and exhibitions; poultry and fishery hatcheries; livestock health cover, veterinary dispensaries & services including; frozen semen banks and liquid nitrogen supply and artificial insemination; information technology kiosks; feed production, marketing and testing units; value addition centres; cool chain including cold storage units et.al.