25 March: NABARD in collaboration with SKUAST(K) organized a one day sensitization workshop on Govt of India scheme on “Agri Clinics and Agri Business Centres-ACABCs” at Sher-i-kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences, at Shalimar. The workshop was held in order to sensitize agriculture graduates for establishment of Agri-Clinics and Agri-Business Centres.
Director Extension Education Dr Afifa S Kamili was chief guest on the occasion, while DGM NABARD Sh D K Kapila was the guest of honor. Speaking on the occasion, Director Extension urged upon the participants to look for employment opportunities in agriculture activities in order to support the agriculture sector. She said that the purpose of these ACABCs was to support agriculture development and extending extension services to farmers. She said the farmers need a proper handholding support and local extension service at their villages. She urged upon the students to avail the benefits of subsidy and other concessions from GoI for setting up of these units.
Giving details about the role of NABARD in the field of Agriculture, DGM NABARD, D K Kapila said that NABARD has been set up as development financial institution and has got a mandate in regulating the rural credit in agriculture and allied sectors. He said NABARD has set up various funds for supporting initiatives in agriculture such as Farmer Technology Fund, Farmer Innovation Technology Fund for various modern farming techniques and crop practices. He also gave brief information about various Government Sponsored Schemes being implemented by NABARD.
A detailed PowerPoint presentation on ACABC was given by DDM NABARD Rouf Zargar. The workshop was attended by a large number of Agricultural Graduates and faculty members. Student welfare officer Dr Abubakar Siddiqui applauded the role of NABARD in the field of Agriculture, He said that SKUAST has a long association with NABARD towards the field of Agriculture and related activities.