(a) whether agricultural entrepreneurship is being promoted and is swiftly gaining momentum in the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) is promoting agricultural entrepreneurship; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (DR. SANJEEV KUMAR BALYAN)
(a): Yes, Madam.
(b): Agri-Clinics and Agri Business Centre (ACABC) Scheme supplements efforts of agricultural extension by the Government and aims to create gainful self-employment opportunities for unemployed youth with qualification in agriculture and allied sectors. Agri-entrepreneurship is also being promoted under a number of other Government of India programmes & schemes as detailed in Annexure I.
(c): Yes, Madam.
(d): NABARD is promoting agricultural entrepreneurship as under:
(i) Channelizing subsidy for a number of Government sponsored schemes for promoting entrepreneurs.
(ii) Financial assistance to training institutions established by cooperative banks for helping the agricultural entrepreneurs and preparing their project reports.
(iii) Refinance assistance to banks to encourage them to provide loans to agricultural entrepreneurs.
(iv) Support to training institutes established by banks and also NGOs working with farming community (especially for dairy, food processing etc.) for organising entrepreneurship development training programmes.
(v) Conducting workshops and meetings with bankers and other stakeholders for popularizing entrepreneurship oriented government sponsored schemes.