Bengaluru, July 17 (Karnataka News): National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) celebrated its 42nd Foundation Day on Monday, the 17 th July 2023 in Bangalore. Dr. EV Ramana Reddy, IAS, ACS & DC, GoK was the chief guest for the occasion. Dr. SV Suresha, VC, UAS, Bangalore, PN Raghunath, CGM, RBIand A Murali Krishna, Convenor, SLBC besides other dignitaries attended the function.
Dr. EV Ramana Reddy, IAS, ACS & DC, GoK in his keynote address emphasised that the Government of Karnataka has been working closely with NABARD to implement various developmental programs and initiatives in the state. He acknowledged the critical role of NABARD in supporting and financing various infrastructure projects in Karnataka’s rural areas, through its Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF), for creation of additional irrigation potential of around 4 lakh hectare and completion of over 44000 kms of rural roads besides creation of rural markets, storage godowns, veterinary health infrastructure etc. Dwelling on the challenges that lie ahead, he acknowledged that issues that require our focused attention in the immediate future would revolve around Climate change, rural-urban migration, and the digital divide to name a few. He expressed hope that with the continued support of NABARD and all stakeholders, the dream of a prosperous and equitable India through transformation of rural India could be realised. He assured strong and consistent support from Government of Karnataka for all the future endeavours.
T. Ramesh, Chief General Manager and State head of NABARD highlighted that NABARD’s balance sheet size which stood at ₹ 4,519 crore in 1982 has recorded a phenomenal growth to ₹ 8 lakh crore. Cumulatively Rs. 20 lakh Crore has been refinanced by NABARD of which Rs. 8 lakh crore was towards investment credit in agriculture, contributing towards capital formation in agricultureand ushering prosperity in agriculture and rural sectors of the country. He informed that the year 2022-23 was a momentous year for NABARD in Karnataka, as the business operations scaled new height by extending refinance assistance of ₹ 24,603 crore to rural financial institutions, which was at all time high.
NABARD has supported a wide spectrum of rural infrastructure across the State, under its RIDF assistance. Starting with Rs 175.67 crore in 1995-96, cumulative RIDF sanctions to the State has reached Rs 19,013 crore with cumulative disbursement of Rs 15,080 crore for implementation of 43,896 projects. The impact created by the rural infrastructure projects in the State since inception is phenomenal. These projects helped in bringing 4,10,888 ha of area under irrigation, strengthening/laying 44,405 km of Rural Roads, constructing 55,502 meters of Rural Bridges, building 33 Fish jetties, 12 Fish Farms / Ponds and 839 Rural Agri Markets, providing infrastructure for 13,480 Rural Educational Institutions, 338 Public Health Institutions, 258 Raita SamparkKendras, infrastructure for marketing silkworm cocoons, improving coverage under micro irrigation, ensuring drinking water supply in rural areas, improved infrastructure for Anganwadis etc.
The Ministry of Cooperation, GoI has come out with a project for establishment of the “world’s largest grain storage in the cooperative sector” to leverage the strength of cooperatives and transform them into successful business enterprises, aligning with the vision of “Sahakar-se-Samriddhi” (prosperity through cooperatives)and bolstering food security. The plan focuses on establishing agri-infrastructure, including warehouses, custom hiring centres, and processing units, at the PACS level. NABARD is a part of the project by providing refinance facility for the scheme and at the same time NABCONS, the fully owned subsidiary of NABARD will be the technical partner in implementation of this project. As a pilot, Ekamba PACS in Bidar District has been identified in the State, he stated.
Referring to the NABARD’sspecial refinance scheme to transform the Primary Agricultural Credit Societies into multi service centres, he informed that under this line of credit, NABARD has envisaged transformation of 35,000 PACS in three years. All over India, 3055 PACS have so far been sanctioned with bank loan of Rs.1568 crore by NABARD. In Karnataka, a total of 1117 projects has been sanctioned as on date with a total outlay of ₹ 475.89 crore and NABARD refinance of ₹ 388.18 crore.
Speaking on the flagship programme for PACS, Shri Ramesh informed that in order to bring in efficiency, accountability and transparency at Primary Agricultural Credit Societies and improve profitability, Centrally sponsored project for Computerisation of PACS has been launched by GoI through implementation of common accounting system and MIS and NABARD has been entrusted with the responsibility of implementing the project across the country. In Karnataka 5491 PACS have been identified in the first phase for computerisation which is expected to facilitate the small and marginal farmers, easier access to banking services.
He further elaborated that in 2022-23, NABARD spearheaded developmental interventions like piloting of Digitisation of Agri Value Chain, PACS computerization, Integration of proposed eKCC portal of NABARD with FRUITS portal of GoK, JLG led farm pond projects, Demonstration of Integrated Farming System etc., which are expected to create visible impacts. Keeping in view the International Year of Millets, NABARD has given focused attention for promotion of millets by supporting various programmes such as, Support for Millet Conclave conducted by UAS, Raichur, support to International Trade Fair organized by Govt. of Karnataka in Bengaluru, Support for demonstration of Millet based Integrated Farming System to UAS Raichur etc.
NABARD Karnataka Regional Office Bengaluru has entered into a tripartite MOU with Deshpande Foundation and State Bank of India for ‘Financing of Farm Ponds through formation of JLGs’. Under the project, 700 Farm ponds have been constructed so far in Dharwad, Haveri, Gadag and Belagavi districts by forming 138 JLGs. Farm pond construction has enabled the diversification of crops and more number of crop seasons due to availability of water and it has increased the income of the farmers substantially.
In Karnataka, NABARD has extended a financial assistance of Rs 25.00 lakh to UAS, Dharwad for Demonstration of Integrated Farming System practices. 25 such demo plots @ 2acres per plot had been developed under the project with various components viz.,Renovation of existing structures such as ponds/sheds/compost units, Animal husbandry units, Pisciculture, Poultry, Apiary, Fruit crops/tree crops, Field crops/Vegetables/Fodder crops/oil seed crops, Vermicompost. The farmers who have adopted the model have reported an increase in income to the tune of 2-4 times .
In a unique intervention, NABARD partnered with Airport Authority of India, to open a retail outlet in Hubballi Airport by NABARD promoted Off farm Producer Organisation, SwavalambiSakhi Producer Company Ltd. The outlet recorded a turnover of ₹ 26.78 lakh in a span of 10 months, he added.
Speaking on the occasion, Shri PN Raghunath, CGM, RBI appreciated the multifaceted approach of NABARD which has empowered farmers to adopt modern technologies, enhance agricultural productivity, diversify rural income and promote sustainable livelihood creation. He stated that NABARD and RBI share a common goal of furthering inclusive growth. He further underlined the catalytic role conjunctly played by RBI and NABARD for ensuring timely credit flow to agriculture and ushering in financial literacy & inclusive growth in rural India.
Dr. SV Suresha, VC, UAS, Bangalore, commended NABARD for its efforts to promote climate-resilient agriculture practices, agro value chains, rural human capital development, expert advisory services facilitation, etc. He also acknowledged the financial assistance extended to the Agri Universities under RIDF.
A Murali Krishna, Convenor, SLBC, Karnataka also lauded the efforts of NABARD for its catalytic role for bringing in rural development and indicated that SLBC worked in close association with NABARD in all its endeavours.
To commemorate the occasion a Coffee Table book on NABARD’s interventions in the State of Karnataka through RIDF and booklet on success stories on PACS as MSC were released. The highlight of RIDF Coffee Table Book “Building Sustainable Future” is depiction of relevant Sustainable Development Goal contributed by the project. Select FPOs working in the State were bestowed recognition for their stellar performance, including three FPOs consisting of millet producing farmer members.
