Date:09/01/2009 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2009/01/09/stories/2009010956590200.htm

Tamil Nadu - Tiruchi

Training programme for agri graduates

Special Correspondent

TIRUCHI: The next batch of training programme for unemployed farm, veterinary, fisheries, home science and allied graduates for starting agri-clinics and agri-business centres, conducted through the Voluntary Association for People Service (VAPS), Madurai, would begin in the first week of February.

VAPS is one of the organisations approved by the Union Ministry of Agriculture to conduct the 60-day training programme for graduates from Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Andaman and Nicobar islands under the Agri-clinics and Agri-Business Centres scheme to encourage the graduates to take up self-employment. Trained candidates can avail credit of up to Rs.5 lakh without any collateral security and up to Rs.10 lakh with security for their ventures from nationalised and cooperative banks.

A credit-linked subsidy of 25 per cent of the capital cost loan would also be offered for candidates from the general category. For candidates belonging to SC/ST categories and women, 33.33 per cent subsidy would be offered. VAPS has so far trained about 620 graduates from Tamil Nadu and Puducherry in 15 batches, according to a Press release.

Further information can be had from the Nodal Officer, ACABC Training Centre, 39, Besant Road, Chokkikulam, Madurai – 625002 or 1-N, New Colony, Ayothiapattinam, near Checkpost, Salem – 636103 or visit www.vapsindia. org (Phone:0452-2538642/ 4361903/ 9443569401/ 9344156603).