The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) would lend Rs 29,245 crore for agriculture activities in Chhattisgarh with focus on 'Per Drop More Crop', Mudra and Skill India (MSME) and climate change in the coming financial year 2018-19.
The State Focus Paper (SFP) highlighting the same and containing farm credit of 29,245 crores was on Tuesday unveiled by Chief Minister Raman Singh here.
In his address, Singh expressed his determination on fulfilling the commitment of Prime Minister Narendra Modi of doubling the farmer’s income by 2022.
Applauding the efforts of NABARD, he assured the Bank of extending all possible support by making budget provisions for them to uplift agriculture to ensure rural development in the state.
NABARD Assistant General Manager Pinaki De presented the SFP in the programme.
According to SFP the credit projections for total Agriculture sector for 2018-19 is projected at Rs 17781.85 crore, of which an amount of Rs 5799.84 crore (33%) has been earmarked for capital formation in Agriculture & Allied Activities. Rs.11981.99 crore has been assessed under Crop production, Maintenance and Marketing.
For MSME sector a potential of Rs 8249.62 crore has been assessed for the financial year 2018-19.
NABARD Chief General Manager (CGM) in Chhattisgarh N.P. Mohapatra stressed in the seminar that two Area Development Schemes per district, integration of co-operative system, SHG-Bank linkage Programme, Protected Cultivation, minor irrigation and drinking water schemes will be hallmark of doubling of farmer's income in the State.
For doubling the income of farmers the NABARD has decided to strengthen the dairy sector in the state. Regarding water conservation under ‘Per Drop More Crop’, it has decided to promote micro irrigation system and drip kit. MSME (Mudra & Skill India) will be a focus area to increase the subsistence level of farmers, he informed.
Notably, NABARD on August 4, 2017 had also announced that it is going to provide Rs 4489 crore to Chhattisgarh for development of Agriculture and infrastructure in rural areas.
This is 34% more than that which was assisted by the Bank in the financial year (2016-17).
The Chhattisgarh Government on March 21 , 2017 had also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with NABARD with the latter agreeing to provide loan worth nearly Rs 715 crore for completion of three incomplete major irrigation schemes under Prime Minister Agriculture Irrigation Scheme.
These schemes include-- Kelo Major Irrigation Project, Kharang Canal lining Project and Maniyari Canal lining, which are to be completed by year 2019 to meet the target. The completion of these projects will expand irrigation facility in 47,685 hectares, officials informed.
Officials of Water Resources Department informed on the occasion had informed that Central Government has included 99 important schemes in Prime Minister Agriculture Irrigation Scheme, which includes three big projects of Chhattisgarh.
All these three projects are on the verge of completion. 99% of the works under these projects has been completed, remaining construction works will also be completed soon, it was informed.
