A total of 21,430 persons were provided jobs under the Agriculture Service Centre scheme in the State during the past 20 years.
Similarly, 6,150 employments were generated in the agro-based industry sector during the period.
The Agriculture Service Centre scheme launched in 1997-98 lays emphasis on providing subsidy to farmers for purchase of agriculture equipments. The Government has provided `119,13,46,000 as subsidy to them.
Under the scheme, interested farmers can purchase the agricultural equipment through the subsidy apart from establishing agriculture service centres jointly. They can use that equipment for cultivation and harvests and give them on rent to other farmers.
While the highest `47,45,09,000 subsidy has been provided to the centres in 2015-16, 5,610 persons employed through the centres. Similarly, `14,17,35,000 subsidy had been provided in 2012-13 creating employment opportunities for 3190. The subsidy amount was around `14 crore in 2014-15 and it was `11,74,85,000 in 2011-12.
Similarly, total 6150 have been appointed in the agro-based industry sector between 1997-98 and 2015-16. The Government has provided `51,00,71,000 as subsidy.
Even as the emphasis is being given on the agricultural equipment in the service centres, both the farmers and service centre authorities are facing difficulties due to new guidelines.
As per the revised guidelines, the farmers can apply for the purchasing the agricultural equipment at subsidised rate after getting permission from the Agriculture Department. However, the farmers could not be able to purchase the equipment as the website is found non-functional for months.