An empirical assessment of the success of the Agriclinics and Agribusiness Centres (ACABCs) scheme in enhancing farmers’ income from allied activities in Maharashtra

This study evaluates the success of the Agriclinics and Agribusiness Centres (ACABCs) scheme in Maharashtra in augmenting farmers’ income through allied activities. Beneficiaries generated substantial and significantly higher income from the various animals they reared because of the inputs and extension services provided by agri-ventures, scientific methods of rearing animals, higher yield, prices and consequently higher value of output from animals. Easier access to loans would help set up more clinics/ventures, and improving outreach would help more farmers access services and raise farm productivity and income. Non-beneficiaries who depend on Krishi Seva Kendras or other sources to buy inputs and for other extension services were concerned over the delay in the availability of fertilizer and the scarcity of water, which lowers crop yield and affects the availability of green and dry fodder and animal feed concentrate.