The Business Bytes
TBB BUREAU
BHUBANESWAR, JULY 12, 2023
With climate change posing a serious challenge, the Odisha Government has been taking various initiatives for infrastructural development and livelihoods, and National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) should continue its support to the State in this regard, said Chief Secretary Pradeep Kumar Jena, here on Wednesday.
Speaking at the 42nd Foundation Day celebration function of NABARD here today, Chief Secretary Jena appreciated NABARD for its consistent endeavors, initiatives and contributions to rural development and constant support and active involvement in the development of rural sectors in Odisha.
NABARD through its initiatives like Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF), Long Term Irrigation Fund (LTIF), Self Help Group – Bank Linkage Programme (SHG-BLP), National Adaptation Fund for Climate Change (NAFCC) and others, is complimenting the developmental initiatives of the State Government, said Jena.
The Chief Secretary further urged NABARD to continue its support in post-harvest conservation of agricultural produce, improvised irrigation facility, diversification of agriculture, etc. keeping in view the changed lifestyle following technological development.
Speaking on the occasion, State Development Commissioner Anu Garg said that NABARD has been a major partner of the Odisha Government in implementation, creation of rural infrastructures and scaling up their operation. She appreciated NABARD for the new scheme, Rural Infrastructure Assistance to States (RIAS) particularly for Eastern India for development of infrastructure that supports rural livelihoods, based on the 5-J approach – Jan (human being), Jal (water), Jameen (land), Janwar (livestock), and Jungle (forest).
Mission Shakti Secretary Sujata R Karthikeyan acknowledged that NABARD has been a pioneer in the Self Help Group (SHG) movement which has brought a revolution and transformed the lives of rural women. She highlighted that the Livelihood Enterprise Development Programme (LEDP), Micro Enterprise Development programme (MEDP) and digital literacy through Project E-Shakti of NABARD have touched the lives 3 lakh grass root level women functionaries in the state and during the last 10 years, NABARD has helped 40,000 SHG women for setting up of enterprise by exploiting their untapped entrepreneurial potential.
In his welcome address, NABARD Odisha Regional Office General Manager Dr. BB Sahoo highlighted the major achievements of NABARD in recent years. “NABARD has been a major partner of Government of Odisha in its developmental endeavors. NABARD’s financial support to the State Government, Banks and Corporations in Odisha has touched Rs.31,095 crore in FY2022-23,” he said.
He further indicated that the thrust areas for FY2023-24 are remunerative activities in Primary Agricultural Credit Societies, modernization and strengthening of cooperatives, Farmer Producer Organizations, SHGs to SMEs, doubling of bank credit to the SHGs, doubling of farmer’s income, climate change and promotion of handloom and handicraft OFPOs.
He thanked the stakeholders for the excellent cooperation and support which has resulted in fabulous performance of NABARD in the State.
RBI Regional Director SP Mohanty spoke about the importance of financial inclusion and appreciated NABARD for supporting banks for setting up of Financial Literacy Centres for creating financial literacy awareness among rural people.
Earlier in the meeting, SBI Bhubaneswar Circle Chief General Manager Chander Shekhar Sharma highlighted that banks should focus on financing new technologies in Agriculture sector.
SLBC Convenor Goutam Patra indicated that by the end of the current financial year, banks have to achieve the set sector wise priority sector targets.
On this occasion, awards were given to individuals and institutions in various categories such as best performing tribal farmers, FPOs, climate change initiatives, SHGs, producer groups recognizing their efforts in the various developmental initiatives of NABARD.
Coffee table books “Reflections 2022-23”, highlighting major achievements of NABARD in Odisha during 2022-23 and “Impact Evaluation of NABARD RIDF projects in Odisha” were released on the occasion.
