NEW DELHI, 27 June 2025: In a major push toward strengthening farm advisory services across India, the Centre has announced plans to expand the agri-clinics initiative nationwide, aiming to deliver crop-specific and input-related guidance to farmers, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said on Tuesday.
The announcement comes on the heels of the ‘Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan’, a 15-day campaign held from May 29 to June 12, aimed at connecting agricultural scientists with farmers as part of the government’s broader ‘lab to land’ initiative.
“We have gathered valuable insights directly from farmers during this campaign. One key takeaway is the need for a stronger, more accessible network of agri-clinics across rural India,” Chouhan stated, addressing the media in New Delhi.
Agri-clinics are designed to serve as one-stop hubs offering timely expert advice on issues related to pest control, fertiliser use, soil health, crop management, and post-harvest practices.
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Despite being launched in 2002 under the Agri-Clinics and Agri-Business Centres (ACABC) Scheme in collaboration with NABARD, the initiative has seen limited uptake. The original vision was to harness the expertise of agriculture graduates by enabling them to open independent agri-clinics and agri-business centres, thus providing farmers with professional extension services.
The Centre is now working on ways to streamline procedures, provide financial incentives, and simplify compliance to revive interest among trained agri-entrepreneurs. The renewed push will focus on scalability, access, and local impact, particularly in underserved and tribal farming zones.
The ministry also plans to integrate the agri-clinic model with digital advisory platforms, allowing farmers to access services through mobile apps and remote consultations.
This revival aligns with the broader Viksit Bharat@2047 vision, which envisions a future-ready agriculture ecosystem driven by innovation, data, and grassroots empowerment.
