Evaluating the Effectiveness of Agri-Clinics and Agri-Business Centres (ACABC) Scheme Using Conversion Efficiency Ratio and a One-Year Lag Model

The Indian economy is heavily dependent on agriculture, which plays a vital role in employment and Gross Value Added (GVA). To encourage agribusiness and improve agricultural extension services, the Indian government launched the Agri-Clinics and Agri-Business Centers (ACABC) Scheme in 2002. This initiative aims to enhance farm production through expert consulting though creating self-employment opportunities for agricultural graduates. The study calculates the conversion ratio between trained candidates and established ventures across Indian states using secondary data from the official ACABC database spanning 2002 to 2026. The result shows Maharashtra has the largest operational ratio. Maharashtra demonstrates dominance in operational scale and overall efficiency. To determine the success rate of ventures established year-wise in Maharashtra, a one-year lag model has been used. The one-year lag model for Maharashtra (2012–2025) indicates an average success rate of about 50%, with significant variations due to external factors such as the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings underline the role of agripreneurs as substances for economic change, aligning with Schumpeter's Innovation Theory. They also support the Human Capital Theory, which posits that training alone is insufficient without proper institutional support, funding, and favourable market conditions. The study concludes that enhancing post-training mentorship, financial assistance, and ecosystem support is essential for the sustainable development of agribusinesses under the ACABC program.