The youth in Chhattisgarh possessing requisite Agriculture qualifications would now receive four per cent grant on the interest payable on bank loans for setting up Agri-based enterprises.
A decision to this effect was taken by the State Agriculture Department with a view to providing a major boost to establishment of Agri-based enterprises in Chhattisgarh.
The grant on loans would also be extended to the youth who had undergone courses in ‘Agri Clinics’ and ‘Agri Business’ and are desirous of taking advantage of the decision for setting up Agri-based units in the State, an official statement issued here on Thursday informed.
It was learnt that the educated youth with qualifications in Agriculture were unable to establish Agri based units earlier due to higher interest rates on bank loans.
Taking cognisance of the problems faced by the farmers and the youth in acquiring loans, the State Government has decided to offer four per cent grant on interest payable on such loans.
As per the information available with the Agriculture Directorate, the provision for offering four per cent grant on interest on loans had been made in the State Agriculture Budget for financial year 2013-14.
The scheme entails provision of four per cent grant on interest payable on loans
of a maximum limit of rupees one crore with the cap on grant payable on interest payable put to a maximum limit of Rs4 lakh.
This apart, the Government had floated another scheme for capacity enhancement ofthe farm labourers for achieving higher agriculture productivity with the aim of making their task easier on farm lands.
The scheme comprises distribution of kits containing necessary equipment required for farm work keeping in view the time and labour required to complete tasks. The kit would contain equipment worth Rs42,000 for enhancing the work efficiency of the farm labourers.
A two-day training programme would also be conducted for the farm labourers for imparting information of the use and maintenance of agriculture implements.
It may be mentioned that the farm work is impacted by lack of sufficient labour availability which has its cascading effect on agriculture productivity.
The farm labourers desirous of seeking exemption on grant payable on interest accrued on loans for setting up Agri-based enterprises besides receiving the free kit can contact Deputy Director, Agriculture in their respective districts or can even contact the Division Engineer Agriculture for taking benefit of the scheme.