Govt's agri-preneur scheme receives lukewarm response

Only 35 ventures have been established under the ACABC scheme in the current fiscal year

- Dhirendra Kumar

The agriculture ministry's scheme to promote entrepreneurship is receiving a lukewarm response, despite a better monsoon and improvements in the rural economy. Only a few individuals are venturing into becoming agro-entrepreneurs.

According to data from the agriculture ministry, analysed by Mint, only 35 ventures have been established under the Agri-Clinics and Agri-Business Centres (ACABC) scheme in the current fiscal year. This is far below the FY25 target of establishing 2,605 agri-ventures. The scheme is part of the Krishonnati Yojana, an initiative aimed at enhancing the agricultural sector.

This figure is significantly lower than the 1,702 ventures established during FY24 and 1,788 in FY23, the data showed.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) anticipates that India's economic growth will improve in the latter half of FY25, driven by festive activity, rural demand and agricultural growth.

The number of candidates receiving training to establish these ventures has increased from 4,878 in FY23 to 4,952 in FY24. The data for candidates trained under the scheme in the first eight months of the current fiscal (2024-25) year is not available on the agriculture ministry's website.