Impact of Agri-Clinics and Agri-Business Centres (ACABC) Scheme on Increasing Farmers’ Income in Maharashtra

In 2002, the Government of India launched a scheme of setting up of ACABCs by agriculture graduates with the financial support of NABARD to strengthen technology transfer and public extension system and help in employment generation in the rural areas. This study has evaluated the extent to which the scheme in Maharashtra has been successful in augmenting farmers’ income through crop and allied activities. The study has found a positive impact of ACABC scheme in Maharashtra as beneficiaries of scheme generated substantial income from the crop enterprise and livestock-rearing vis-à-vis non-beneficiaries. The major reasons that led beneficiaries to derive significantly higher income were higher area allocation under high-value perennial crops, better management of cultivation practices, higher productivity of crops, better quality, higher prices for output, scientific methods of rearing animals, higher yield, better prices, and, consequently, higher value of output from animals, etc. The study has suggested that outreach of ACABCs should be increased so that more farmers can have access to their services and benefit from higher farm productivity and income. Another suggestion is in favour of easy access to loans so that more clinics/ventures may be established.